SAN PEDRO : Gunman Killed by Officer After 3-Hour Standoff

After a three-hour standoff, a 29-year-old San Pedro man was shot and killed by a Los Angeles Police Department officer Monday after he came out of his apartment waving a handgun, police said.

Ernesto (Ernie) Frank Aurelio, who lived with his parents in the 1300 block of South Leland Street, was pronounced dead at the scene after being hit by a single shotgun round. No other shots were fired.

LAPD spokesman Lt. John Dunkin said officers were called about 11 a.m. by Aurelio’s parents, who said their son had not slept since Friday and was acting strangely. Neighbors and friends said Aurelio had a history of drug use, and had recently attended a drug rehabilitation program. Police said he had two handguns registered in his name.

Police evacuated the apartment building. About 2 p.m., Aurelio came out the apartment’s front door, shirtless and holding a 9-millimeter semiautomatic handgun. When he pointed the weapon in the officers’ direction, Dunkin said, one officer fired, killing him.