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Mohammad Usman Chaudhry, 21 [Updated]

Mohammad Usman Chaudhry (2008-03-25)

Mohammad Usman Chaudhry, a 21-year-old Pakistani American, was fatally shot at 1435 N. Curson St. in Hollywood at 4 a.m. Tuesday, March 25.

According to police, Officer Joseph Cruz and his partner were patrolling the street when they saw a dark figure by an apartment complex. The officers approached to investigate and encountered Chaudhry lying behind some bushes.

As Cruz was questioning Chaudhry, he pulled out a folding knife and stabbed Cruz on the left hand. Cruz pulled out his gun and fired several rounds at Chaudhry. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics pronounced Chaudhry dead at the scene at 4:21 a.m.

Cruz was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was treated for lacerations and released, authorities said.

UPDATE: Initially the L.A. County coroner identified Chaudhry as a black man, but family said he was a Pakistani American and a Muslim.

Dispatch: 'I want justice for my brother'

[Update Jan. 27, 2011: $1.7 million awarded to family of man killed by LAPD officer]

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