Eric David Anderson, 48

Eric David Anderson, a 48-year-old white man, died on Sunday, Jan. 15, after he was shot by a police officer near Ranch Road, in the 200 block of Windsong Court in Azusa, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records. 

Azusa police were called after residents reported hearing gunshots about 11 p.m., said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Joe Mendoza. 

Moments later, the police department also received a call from a woman saying her husband — later identified as Anderson — had a gun and was behaving erratically, Mendoza said. 

When officers arrived, Anderson’s wife met them on Ranch Road, just a few steps from the end of Windsong Court, a small street in the condominium complex where the couple lived. 

As she spoke with the officers, Anderson stepped onto Ranch Road, The Times reported. An officer ordered him to surrender, but Anderson pointed a handgun at the officer, the Sheriff's Department said. 

“Fearing for his life, the officer fired toward the suspect,” Mendoza said. 

Anderson pronounced dead at the scene at 11:48 p.m. with a gunshot wound to the chest, according to coroner’s records. A loaded handgun was found near where he fell, Mendoza said.

Investigators found evidence of gunfire near where residents reported hearing shots, Mendoza said, but no one was injured. Investigators must run tests to determine if the casings came from Anderson’s handgun, Mendoza said. 

Anderson's actions are a puzzle, Mendoza said.  Investigators believe Anderson fired his gun outside, but they don’t know why. 

“That’s part of the mystery right now, what spurred this behavior,” Mendoza said. “There’s been no reports of threats or fights in the past. For him to point a loaded gun at an officer is erratic and odd.”

The Sheriff's Department is investigating the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to call the Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.  

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @latimeshomicide on Twitter.