Man shot and killed in California after confrontation with police
LOS ANGELES (WJAR) — A Rhode Island man was shot and killed in California after a confrontation with Los Angeles police over the weekend.
The man was identified as 34-year-old Richard Brian Solitro Jr.
The deadly shooting happened on Saturday on LA's famed Sunset Boulevard.
LAPD said the shooting occurred after Solitro cut off a patrol car, then reversed his car and crashed into the cruiser.
Solitro got out of his sedan wearing a bulletproof vest and had his hands behind his back, police said.
“The officers gave him commands, which he did not follow, and he started counting down saying ‘3, 2, 1.' He started to pull his right hand from behind his back out to the front. And at that time, there was a police-involved shooting,” said Detective Meghan Aguilar, with the LAPD.
Officers said Solitro was later found to be unarmed.
Solitro's car, surrounded by crime tape at the scene, could be seen covered with writing about government, Satan and religion.
A guest staying at a nearby Quality Inn noticed the car parked there before the shooting and told affiliate KNBC that Solitro had been a long-term guest.
WJAR has learned it’s not the first time Solitro has been shot by police.
In 2018, an officer from North Providence said Solitro pointed a gun at them during a welfare check at his home.
The officer fired, but Solitro survived and recovered.
Solitro’s weapon was later determined to be a replica.
A grand jury ruled the 2018 officer-involved shooting was justified.
Saturday's shooting in Los Angeles, meanwhile, remains under investigation. Police said the deadly interaction was captured on body camera.
Reached via phone on Sunday night, Solitro's father, Rick Solitro, told NBC 10 News that his son had struggled with his mental health for years.
Rick Solitro said his family tried to get Richard Jr. help, but they were not successful.
