A report of trespassing preceded a fight with a suspect and then a fatal deputy-involved shooting Wednesday night at the Valencia mall, according to deputies with the Sheriff’s Information Bureau of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The shooting happened around 10:50 p.m. in front of the Macy’s at the Westfield Valencia Town Center while Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies were responding to a service call, according to Deputy Brenda Serna.
“It was a hit shooting,” Serna said, referring to a suspect who was shot after reportedly getting into a physical confrontation with a deputy.
Serna also confirmed that an SCV Sheriff’s Station deputy was injured in a physical confrontation with a suspect and not by gunfire. A female deputy left the mall via an ambulance near the entrance by Macy’s around 11:30 p.m.
LASD released more information on Thursday morning, saying deputies were responding to a trespassing call — although which store or specific location within the mall was not specified.
“Santa Clarita Station deputies responded to a business in a shopping center regarding a trespassing call. Upon arrival, a deputy was assaulted by the suspect and a deputy-involved shooting occurred. The suspect was transported to a local hospital and pronounced deceased,” read LASD’s narrative. “The deputy was transported to a local hospital, treated and released.”
Fire officials also confirmed the transport of one patient to a local hospital around 11 p.m.
The narrative also stated that investigators from the Department of Justice were on the scene and will be handling the investigation of the shooting. LASD’s Homicide Bureau was said to be assisting, but to what capacity is unknown.
The incident marks the second local deputy-involved shooting in four days and the third since November.
LASD deputies investigating a stabbing death that happened in the early hours of Sunday morning were later involved in a fatal shooting with the suspect in that crime, who was believed to be the boyfriend of the woman killed.
Thomas Phan, a homeless man, was killed in the Santa Clara riverbed near the intersection of Bridgeport Lane and Island Road on Nov. 16 as deputies were attempting to locate a suspect in connection with a reported burglary. Deputies reported Phan was shot after lunging at them with two knives. Phan was later found to not be connected with the suspected crime that originated the call for service.
According to the state Attorney General’s office, California Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506) requires the California Department of Justice to investigate all incidents of an officer-involved shooting resulting in the death of an unarmed civilian in the state.
This is a breaking news story and more information will be released as it becomes available.
