DOWNEY - Downey police officers shot and killed a man brandishing an axe in the area of Paramount Boulevard and Borson Street last Saturday.According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, which investigates most officer-involved shootings, 30-year-old Stephen Bours, of Downey, was walking northbound in the southbound lanes of Paramount Boulevard near Imperial Highway at around 6:30 p.m. Officers ordered Bours to drop his weapon but he instead advanced toward police with the axe raised over his head, prompting officers to open fire, sheriff's officials said. Bours was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. No officers were hurt in the shooting. Sheriff's officials are also investigating the death of a 31-year-old man who died after Downey police officers used a Taser device to restrain him following a vehicle pursuit. Albert Valencia was allegedly threatening people inside the L.A. Fitness on Firestone Boulevard at about 9 a.m. Friday, the Sheriff's Department said in a statement. Responding Downey police officers tried to stop Valencia as he exited the parking lot and observed him brandishing a knife, the statement said. Valencia led police on a short pursuit that ended in South Gate. A physical altercation ensued and police officers used the Taser, according to the statement. Valencia soon became unresponsive and officers administered CPR until paramedics arrived, the statement said. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

********** Published: March 26, 2010 - Volume 8 - Issue 49