Brian Rolstad Obituary, Death; – Authorities have identified the individual suspected of stabbing, who was subsequently shot and killed by police near the University of Southern California, as a resident of a nearby treatment facility.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers responded to an assault with a deadly weapon reported in the 900 block of West 23rd Street, situated in the University Park area south of the Santa Monica (10) Freeway, at approximately 11 a.m. on Saturday. Upon arrival, they found the victim with a stab wound to the face inflicted by a folding knife, and the suspect was present at the scene.
The suspect was later named as Brian Rolstad, while the victim was identified as a staff member of the multi-unit residential treatment facility, as reported by the department. The LAPD stated, “As officers approached the location, they met with the victim and witnesses and attempted to ascertain Rolstad’s location.”
Additional patrol units subsequently arrived and established a tactical team to call out Rolstad. During this process, authorities reported that “Rolstad emerged from the location and began to advance on the team of officers armed with a knife.”
When he allegedly failed to comply with police orders to drop the weapon, an officer discharged four rounds from a Beanbag Shotgun, which proved to be “momentarily effective.” As Rolstad continued to advance, officers attempted to reposition onto the sidewalk and street, at which point the shooting occurred.
According to police, Rolstad was struck in the chest by gunfire and fell to the ground. An arrest team then approached and took him into custody, after which he was transported to a local hospital alongside the victim.
Hospital staff later pronounced Rolstad deceased, while the victim received treatment for his stab wound and was subsequently discharged, as per the LAPD. No further details regarding Rolstad or the victim have been released. The circumstances leading to the altercation remain unclear.
Police reported that they found a black 6-inch folding knife with an approximately 2 1/2-inch blade in the roadway where Rolstad collapsed, which has been booked as evidence. Investigations are ongoing, including the review of bodycam footage and other surveillance videos as potential evidence.
