On July 13, 2025, a startling incident unfolded in downtown Los Angeles when Gurpreet Singh, a 35-year-old Sikh man, was fatally shot by Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers. Singh had stopped his vehicle in a busy intersection near Crypto.com Arena and began performing Gatka, a traditional Sikh martial art involving swordplay. Bodycam footage released by LAPD shows him wielding what was described by police as a machete—a khanda, a ceremonial double-edged sword central to Gatka demonstrations. Despite multiple commands to disarm, Singh ignored officers and proceeded with his display, prompting growing alarm among onlookers and emergency calls to authorities.

LAPD officials say that after refusing to comply, Singh even attempted to harm himself by slashing his tongue with the blade. He then threw a bottle at officers, re-entered his vehicle, and attempted to flee—driving erratically through traffic. The dramatic pursuit ended at the intersection of Figueroa and 12th Streets, where Singh exited his car still holding the khanda and charged at officers. In response, the officers opened fire. Singh was transported to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Authorities confirmed that no officers or bystanders were injured, and the blade was recovered as evidence.

The incident has sparked intense debate within the Sikh and broader community over cultural misunderstandings and appropriate law enforcement responses. Gatka is often performed in ceremonial or religious contexts, and many question whether non-lethal alternatives could have been explored. Mental health considerations have also been raised, with calls for improved training for police in handling culturally specific behavior and crisis de-escalation.

The LAPD’s Force Investigation Division is currently conducting a formal review of the incident, which has heightened scrutiny on civilian-police interactions and the role of cultural awareness in law enforcement protocols.