On Friday, LAPD officers shot a man who had raised his arm, wrapped in a towel, towards them, the Los Angeles Times reports. Police said the officers thought he had a gun; he did not.

According to authorities, the man, who has not been identified, was trying to flag police down around 6:30 p.m. at Los Feliz Boulevard and Tica Drive.

“This person extended an arm wrapped in a towel. The officer exited the vehicle and said, ‘Drop the gun, drop the gun,’” LAPD Lt. John Jenal said.

Motorists nearby took graphic video of the shooting’s aftermath: officers are seen to handcuff the victim as he bleeds from, apparently, the back of his head.

The man was taken to a hospital and is in critical condition.

Contact the author of this post: brendan.oconnor@gawker.com.