Man Fights Officers, Dives Off Balcony to His Death, Police Say

Los Angeles police Tuesday were investigating the death of an unidentified man who officers say dove headfirst off a second-story balcony in San Pedro after stripping off his clothes and lunging at patrolmen.

The incident took place at a Cabrillo Avenue apartment building about 4:30 a.m. Monday.

Officers said the man appeared to have been under the influence of narcotics. His identity has been withheld until relatives are notified.

The man was believed to have been the driver of a car that crashed into a parked vehicle shortly before 4:30 a.m.

Officers arrived to find a shouting, naked man who lunged at them as they approached. The officers wrestled briefly with the man before he broke away and fled to a nearby apartment. While they radioed for backup, police said, the man dashed up the stairs to a balcony and jumped to his death.