Detectives Investigate Deadly Deputy-Involved Shooting In Santa Clarita

SANTA CLARITA (CBSLA.com) — Homicide detectives Friday investigated the circumstances surrounding a deputy-involved shooting that took place in Santa Clarita.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, deputies were sent around 7:50 p.m. on Thursday to Shangri-La and Nathan Hills drives for report of a vehicle that matched the description from an assault with a deadly weapon call.

Upon their arrival, detectives learned a traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle.

"As soon as the vehicle came to a stop the driver quickly exited and started yelling profanities at the deputy while appearing to be challenging him to a fight," said Deputy Trina Schrader. "The deputy gave several commands to the driver to put his hands in the air. The driver refused to comply."

Authorities said the deputy continued to give commands to the driver.

"The driver ignored all commands, turned his body and aggressively reached behind his back appearing to retrieve a weapon," added Schrader. "[He] began to draw the possible weapon on the deputy."

A deputy-involved shooting then subsequently occurred.

The suspect was struck by gunfire. Paramedics transported him to a hospital where he later died. The suspect's identity is being withheld pending family notification.

An adult man who traveled in the vehicle with the suspect is being interviewed by authorities.

Detectives recovered a knife at the scene.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this incident has been urged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.