Los Angeles police identify knife-wielding woman shot by police on Saturday

Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department responded to an assault with a deadly weapon and shot the suspect early Saturday, June 15, 2024. (RMGNews)

The Los Angeles Police Department has determined the identity of the woman who was shot and killed by police while armed with a knife and threatening family members and then turning the knife on police.

At 12:50 a.m. Saturday, officers responded to a residence in the 9400 block of Van Nuys Boulevard in Panorama City after a woman attempted to attack family members with a knife. The person who called authorities reported that the woman prevented the family members from leaving the residence.

When officers arrived, they positioned themselves on a landing on the second floor of the apartment building, directly in front of the apartment door. After trying in vain to speak to the woman, officers heard a loud bang and the woman’s screams, police said.

The officers then forced their way into the apartment, believing the woman was trying to “gain access to the victims.” Inside, they encountered the woman and again shouted at her to drop the knife.

She refused, police said, and charged at officers while holding up the knife. That’s when officers deployed a Taser and shot her at the same time.

The woman was taken to a local hospital where she later died. On Sunday, police identified her as 23-year-old Joanna Lua.

No other injuries were reported. A 10-inch bread knife was found at the scene.