Los Angeles ? Dozens of people were protesting in a crowded shopping district near downtown Los Angeles where a man who police say had been brandishing a knife was shot and killed by officers.

As many as 40 people were gathered Monday at the area near Sixth and Union streets, with another similarly sized crowd protesting outside a nearby police station.

Police say three bicycle officers were patrolling the area Sunday when a pedestrian flagged them down and said a man was threatening people with a knife.

The officers found the man threatening a woman and ordered him to drop the blade, then shot and killed him when he would not.

Coroner’s Lt. Cheryl MacWillie says investigators are trying to determine the man’s identity.