Sheriff's deputy who killed armed man fired his weapon multiple times

The Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy who fatally shot an armed 21-year-old man during a foot pursuit fired his weapon multiple times, a department official said Tuesday.

Robert Lewis Thomas, 21, had fled when the deputies approached a group of people who were drinking in front of a residence about 10:15 p.m. Monday near the intersection of 123rd Street and Wilmington Avenue in Willowbrook, said Lt. David Dolson.

Thomas was a local gang member, Dolson said.

The deputies initially approached the group because people were drinking in the lawn area of a residence, but then noticed Thomas acting suspiciously, Dolson said.

Thomas ran from the deputies into the driveway of a nearby residence, where he came to a locked chained-link fence. He turned around and faced the deputies while holding  a handgun, Dolson said. One deputy fired “multiple rounds,” striking the man, he said.

Thomas, who did not fire his weapon, was pronounced dead at a hospital, Dolson said.

The department is investigating the circumstances of the shooting and have yet to determine exactly how many rounds were fired or how many times Thomas was shot, Dolson said.

After the shooting, Thomas’ sister was arrested on suspicion of battery against a peace officer, Dolson said.

-- Stephen Ceasar

Since January 2007, at least 144 people have been killed by law enforcement officers in Los Angeles County, according coroner's data. Learn more about the cases on The Times' interactive Homicide Report.

Comments

[Daniel]

Sounds like the gang member got what he deserved.

[Avril]

I don't believe a word of the sheriff dept.'s account of the shooting. They will always skew the event to their advantage.

[Tia]

I am so saddened to hear of yet another police murder. Police are supposed to protect and serve our citizens - not murder them! The news reported that this young man "looked suspicious." I know that for many police this is simply code word for being a black man. I hope the people rise up and demand justice. I hope the police are stopped from this senseless violence. I've heard more about police killing citizens than I have about gang violence in the recent months. May this young many rest in peace and I send his family my prayers.

[batteredbypd]

This sounds like a crock! The sheriffs will lie everytime...and it just seems every person of color they come in contact with in the inner city is a gang member....smh..they will always say that so it can SOUND JUSTIFIED....Sheriff's are not to be trusted!!

[law abiding citizen]

should have never ran away bang bang

[bossms]

sad its true but i know these people personally and i believe the sherriff when they say was armed. i also know what goes around comes around because both parents are gang members and his mother loved pulling guns on people. he was her only son and her baby

[rik]

12 times in the back i cant call that justice.