Homeless Man Fatally Shot by Police After Machete Attack in Woodland Hills

Accident – Death – Obituary News : New Details Emerge in Terrifying Woodland Hills and Calabasas Incident

Woodland Hills and Calabasas were the scenes of terror on November 1st when a homeless man attacked an individual with a machete before seeking refuge in a popular restaurant, where he was eventually shot and killed by the police. The shocking incident, captured on various surveillance cameras, has left the community shaken and raised concerns about the safety of the area.

The terrifying ordeal began when a man called 911 to report that he had been attacked by another man wielding a machete at a McDonald’s located near Mulholland Drive and the 101 Freeway. The victim, who managed to escape his attacker, recounted the horrifying encounter to the 911 dispatcher. “I was able to get away from him, and then he kept attacking me,” he said. Although he escaped without serious injuries, the victim expressed concern about the growing issue of homelessness in the area. “We need to get in control of these homeless people,” he added.

The attacker, later identified as 35-year-old Benjamin Pritchard, dropped the machete and began wandering through the parking lot of a busy shopping center. It was at this point that the police arrived on the scene. Dash camera footage released by the Los Angeles Police Department shows officers attempting to stop Pritchard near the McDonald’s and later near the southbound 101 Freeway onramp at Mulholland Drive/Valley Circle Boulevard.

In the video, Pritchard can be seen charging at a police SUV with a knife, striking the vehicle before fleeing. He then runs along traffic on Calabasas Road, eventually finding his way into the parking lot of the Sagebrush Cantina, a popular restaurant and music venue in Old Town Calabasas. Sensing the danger, an officer uses the SUV’s PA system to instruct everyone to seek shelter inside the restaurant and lock the doors.

Security cameras and police body-worn cameras captured the violent end to the ordeal. Pritchard emerges with a bottle and a knife, prompting an officer who is chasing him on foot to fire his Taser. However, the Taser has little to no effect on Pritchard, who continues to brandish the knife. Officers repeatedly yell at him to drop the weapon, but he ignores their commands.

Another camera angle shows Pritchard running into a patio dining area as a restaurant patron or employee flees to the back. In a desperate bid to protect themselves and others, the officers open fire with their service weapons, fatally striking Pritchard. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Thankfully, no officers or witnesses were injured during the incident.

Authorities have revealed that Pritchard was from San Diego County. While the toxicology report has not been released, officers believe that he was under the influence of drugs at the time of the attack. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office will now evaluate whether the use of deadly force by the police was justified.

The incident has sparked concern among residents and business owners in the area, with many questioning the adequacy of measures in place to address homelessness and ensure public safety. Community leaders are calling for a comprehensive review of existing policies and resources to prevent similar incidents in the future.

As investigations continue and the community tries to heal from the traumatic event, it is clear that more needs to be done to address the root causes of homelessness and ensure the safety of all residents and visitors. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by communities across the country in dealing with the complex issue of homelessness..