Patrol officers were in the area of Sixth Street and Rampart Boulevard when they spotted a man with a gun at about 3:20 a.m. Sunday, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement.
"When officers made contact with the suspect, an OIS occurred," the statement said, referring to what the LAPD described as an "officer-involved shooting."
Paramedics pronounced the man dead at the scene. He was not immediately identified.
A semi-automatic handgun was found next to the body, police said.
No bystanders or officers were injured during the incident.
No further information was immediately available.