BREAKING: Andres Guardado, an 18-year-old who was killed by an L.A. County sheriff’s deputy in Gardena last month, was shot five times in the back, an independent autopsy revealed. latimes.com/california/sto…
Preliminary forensic toxicology results showed that Guardado did not have any drugs or alcohol in his system.
The family requested the independent autopsy after the L.A. Sheriff’s Department placed a security hold on the the official report prepared by the coroner’s office.
The family requested the independent autopsy after the L.A. Sheriff’s Department placed a security hold on the the official report prepared by the coroner’s office.
According to the Sheriff’s Department, Guardado “produced a handgun” and ran away after deputies approached him. After catching up to Guardado Deputy Miguel Vega fired his weapon.
Family members and activists have expressed skepticism about the narrative.
Family members and activists have expressed skepticism about the narrative.
The Sheriff’s Department faces scrutiny over unanswered questions in several serious uses of force, including Guardado’s shooting, which has prompted large protests and demands for an independent investigation by community leaders. Guardado’s aunt said the family felt “broken.”
Authorities have yet to explain what prompted Deputy Miguel Vega to open fire on Guardado. Three complaints have been lodged against Vega while he was assigned to Compton station, including one for using unreasonable force; two other complaints alleged that he was discourteous.
This week I wrote about other Latina moms in East L.A. who have lost their sons to law enforcement violence. Through their trauma and grief, they’ve come together to hold authorities accountable.
According to 2018 figures released by the Office of the Attorney General, about 47% of those affected by incidents in California that involved the discharge of a weapon or use of force resulting in death or serious injury were Latino.
