Norwalk: Leopoldo Huizar, 24

Leopoldo Huizar, a 24-year-old Latino, died Sunday, Sept. 20, after he was shot by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies in the 11600 block of East Imperial Highway in Norwalk, authorities said.

A deputy was patrolling the area around the Towne House Motel when he "encountered a suspicious male" in the back parking lot, according to a statement from the Sheriff's Department.

Huizar was belligerent, authorities said, and resisted the deputy while he tried to check him for weapons. Huizar apparently pulled a gun out of his waistband and the deputy shot him, according to the statement.

Huizar was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:36 p.m., said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the county coroner's office. A loaded handgun was recovered from the scene, authorities said.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Credit: Sarah Ardalani / Los Angeles TImes

Comments

[JOSE]

im starting to think that cops are not getting real training. they keep killing so much people. i wouldnt be surprised if forbes magazine named lapd and lasd number 1 on worst cops.

[We love you]

You will always be here with us no matter what we miss you and we wil always your funeral was so nice all your friends were there caring a lot for you we love you

[ASH]

THIS IS SO WRONG GOSH .
COPS ARE KILLIN SO MANY INNOCENT PEOPLE .
UGH MAN . !! =/
THEY DONT WAIT AND THINK . MAYBE THIS GUY HAS A WIFE AND KIDS .
NO THEY JUST KILL.

[Jet]

Jose,
Cops are killing people because these people have guns and are being stupid. This wasn't some innocent person just walking down the street. This was a thug with a gun. If one pulls a gun on a law enforcement personnel be ready for the outcome. Just so happens that on this day the cop was a better shot.

[syscom3]

Ash, dont you think the deceased was putting society at extreme risk by being armed in the first place? You think bullets can be magically guided so as to not hit people?

Better for the police to end the threat this way, than to allow Leopoldo the opportunity to shoot and kill.

[Clean]

I agree with Jet. He pulls a gun out, what do you expect a police officer to do. Maybe if he gave up instead of resisting he would be alive today.

[Peter]

Why do people rush to judgment so readily? The story says "Huizar apparently pulled a gun out of his waistband and the deputy shot him." That "apparently" might be a tip-off. Law enforcement officers have been known to lie in order to justify killing someone. They've even been known to plant weapons, and, in any event, merely carrying a firearm is not an offense punishable by instant execution by way of police bullets. There have been enough questionable shootings by law enforcement officers that any reasonable person should keep their minds open until believable evidence is produced.

[Mike in Santa Fe]

As a former Deputy, I am in favor of officers being wired for video and sound at all times.

That said "carrying" a firearm is different from pulling a gun in the presence of cops. The moment a suspect goes for a gun, officers can reasonably assume that person intends to use that gun against the officer.

I hope you're not saying that cops have to wait until they are shot first before they can shoot to defend themselves agains possible serious bodily harm or death -- are you?