An 18-year-old man was in critical condition Thursday after he was shot by a Los Angeles police officer in El Sereno.

A handgun was recovered at the scene of the shooting, which occurred about 3:15 p.m. in the 4400 block of Turquoise Street, according Lt. Chris Ramirez with the LAPD. Officers in the area tried to make a pedestrian stop prior to the shooting.

Cellphone video shows police over the 18-year-old, who was lying on the ground, shirtless. It's unclear why officers stopped him and what led up to the shooting.

Bertha Hernandez said she saw officers shoot the man three times, and that police "thought he had a gun." A handgun was located at the scene and is now part of the investigation, police said.

No officers were wounded.



The 18-year-old was hospitalized and in critical condition as of Thursday night. Ramirez said they were also investigating possible prior arrests in connection with the man.

Neighbors told NBC4 the man had just graduated high school this week. A spokeswoman with the family said Pedro Echeverria was shot and in the ICU "fighting for his life."