Unincorporated Athens: Woodrow Player III, 22

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Woodrow Player III, a 22-year-old black man, was shot several times by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies and died on July 10 in the 11200 block of Berendo Avenue in unincorporated Athens.

Civil rights leaders called for a federal investigation.

Player was shot as he ran from deputies in the 11200 block of Berendo Avenue about 8:45 p.m. Friday, authorities said.

Investigators said they recovered a gun from Player’s car, but witnesses said he was unarmed when deputies shot him in the back.

Sheriff’s Department spokesman Steve Whitmore promised a thorough review of the shooting.

‘This will be examined from top to bottom. And if there are any inconsistencies, they will be brought forth,’ Whitmore said.

But Earl Ofari Hutchinson, president of the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable, and Eddie Jones of the L.A. Civil Rights Assn. joined Player’s relatives Saturday at the place where Player was shot to call for a federal investigation.

‘We have no confidence in the Sheriff’s Department to investigate itself,’ Hutchinson said, dismissing the sheriff’s Office of Independent Review, which is investigating.

-- Molly Hennessy-Fiske in Athens

Read more: Deputies kill man in Athens; rights groups want an investigation