The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has opened an investigation into this incident. While the Department does not make statements related to ongoing investigations, Sheriff Luna has made it clear that he expects Department personnel to treat all members of the public with dignity and respect, and that personnel who do not uphold our training standards will be held accountable. In the interest of transparency with our community, the Sheriff’s Department is releasing body-worn camera video from the incident.
Background:
On Saturday, June 24, 2023, Lancaster Sheriff’s Station deputies responded to a report of an in-progress robbery at a grocery store at 700 block of West Avenue K-4 in the city of Lancaster.
Upon arrival, deputies approached a man, and a woman, matching the description given by store security personnel in calls placed to 911.
As deputies attempted to detain the individuals described by store security personnel, the encounter escalated into a use of force incident that was captured by a community member with a cell phone camera. The video is disturbing.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has initiated an investigation of this incident. That investigation will include reviewing body-worn camera video, surveillance video from the store and cell phone video provided by a community member.
Both deputies have been re-assigned from field duty pending further administrative review.
An objective review of the incident will be conducted to determine if the force used was reasonable, necessary, appropriate, and proportional to the level of actions described.
We take the use of force very seriously and are determined to establish the facts of the incident.
The body-worn camera video is available at the following links: https://www.lasdvideos.org/mediaportal/062423-lancaster-incident-dep-1/
https://www.lasdvideos.org/mediaportal/062423-lancaster-incident-dep-2/
Please note that this video is being released before a full investigation of this incident and that additional facts may come to light that are not apparent in the body-worn camera video.
