Man fatally shot in Watts in confrontation with gang detectives

A man was shot and killed in a confrontation with gang detectives after a traffic stop in Watts, police said Wednesday night.

The incident began about 3 p.m. Wednesday when the detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department conducted a traffic stop near 103rd and Hickory streets, police said.

A man got out of the vehicle, allegedly with a gun, and began running. At least one detective followed on foot and the shooting occurred, the Los Angeles Police Department said.

The details surrounding the shooting were not immediately available. The LAPD said a weapon was recovered.

The area, which is near the Jordan Downs housing project, is patrolled by the LAPD's Southeast Division. It was unclear what the Sheriff's Department was doing in LAPD territory.

The incident was under investigation. No other details were immediately available.

Since January 2007, at least 85 homicides have been reported in Watts, according to The Times Homicide Report database.

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--Andrew Blankstein (twitter.com/anblanx) and Robert J. Lopez (twitter.com/LAJourno)

Map shows homicides reported in Watts since January 2007. Credit: Times Homicide Report