Sheriff: LA deputies killed Black man who dropped a handgun
Protesters clash with deputies of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department during protests following the death of Dijon Kizzee on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in Los Angeles, Calif.[AP/ Christian Monterrosa]
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was investigating the fatal shooting of a Black man by two deputies Monday afternoon.
In a statement, Deputy Juanita Navarro-Suarez said detectives responded at 3:16 p.m. to the 1200 block of West 109th Place, unincorporated Los Angeles, to investigate the shooting.
The department said on its Twitter account that, "During the contact, a fight ensued between the suspect and deputies." The man produced a handgun and "a deputy-involved ‘hit’ shooting" occurred.
During the contact, a fight ensued between the suspect and deputies. The suspect produced a handgun and a deputy-involved “hit” shooting occurred. The suspect’s handgun was recovered. The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene.
— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) September 1, 2020
Sheriff’s Lt. Brandon Dean said late Monday that two deputies from the South Los Angeles station were driving when the saw a man riding his bicycle in violation of vehicle codes, according to the Los Angeles Times. It was not known which codes the man allegedly broke, Dean said.
When deputies tried to stop the man, he dropped his bike and ran, with deputies in pursuit, Dean said. Deputies again tried to make contact with the man and Dean said, he allegedly punched a deputy in the face. The man then dropped a bundle of clothes he’d been carrying and they spotted a black handgun in the bundle, at which point both deputies opened fire, Dean said.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene, Navarro-Suarez said. Police say the handgun was recovered and no deputies were injured.
Family members at the scene identified the dead man as Dijon Kizzee, 29, CBS-Los Angeles reported.
Protesters gathered demanding answers, and more than 100 people marched to a sheriff’s station on Imperial Highway. Some said they didn’t think the shooting was justified while others chanted, "Say his name" and "No justice, no peace" the Times reported.
Arlander Givens, 68, lives in the neighborhood. He questioned why deputies fired at a man who, according to the sheriff’s official, wasn’t holding a weapon.
"If he reached down to grab it, that’s different," Givens told the Times. "But if it’s on the ground, why shoot? That means he was unarmed."
The investigation is ongoing.