Los Angeles Sheriffs Investigating Deputy-Involved Shooting
Department says the man did not comply with order to drop his gun.
— -- Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide detectives were investigating a deputy-involved shooting that occurred today in Lynwood, after reports were received of a man being seen with a gun and shots being heard.
Deputies from Century Station responded to multiple emergency calls received of a "man with a gun" and "shots heard," according to a statement from the LASD. Additional were also received, including calls that described the suspect as a "male black with a handgun wearing a checkered shirt," the statement said
When deputies arrived, they located the armed suspect in front of a busy Arco Gas Station. The deputies approached the suspect and gave him multiple commands to drop the gun, but when he did not comply, "a deputy-involved shooting occurred," the statement said.
Witnesses in the immediate area said they saw the suspect turn and point the gun at the deputies before the shooting, according to the sheriff's department statement.
The suspect was struck by gunfire and pronounced dead at the scene, and the suspect’s weapon, a loaded .45 caliber handgun, was recovered, the statement said.
The name of the suspect was not released, pending next of kin notification.
"I want to assure the public that the Sheriff’s Department takes deputy involved shootings very seriously and that this investigation will be handled with the utmost professionalism and integrity," Sheriff Jim McDonnell said. "We are working closely with our criminal justice system partners as well as members of the public to put together the most comprehensive and accurate account of exactly what occurred."
According to ABC station KABC-TV in Los Angeles, an eyewitness who asked to remain anonymous captured video of the gunfire and said the suspect was shooting in the air and did not want to comply with commands.
"The video is just one piece of evidence that's going to be examined as part of a comprehensive, long investigation and that'll be analyzed against the physical evidence, the witness statements and the deputies' statements," LASD Lt. Eddie Hernandez told KABC-TV.
However, others at the scene told KABC-TV they believed the shooting was "unjustified."