'You Don't Shoot Them Down Like A Dog': Family Mourns 18-Year-Old Killed In East LA Deputy Shooting

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — A man was shot and killed by a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop in East Los Angeles.

The shooting happened just before 11 p.m. in the 300 block of South Gerhart Avenue. According to the sheriff's department, deputies had stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation.

Authorities say one of the two people inside the car got out and got into a physical altercation with one of the deputies, who opened fire. A man described only as Hispanic was hit by gunfire in the upper torso and was taken in grave condition to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Family members later identified the man as 18-year-old Paul Rea.

"Anybody who knows Paul is going to be heartbroken over this," his sister Jaylene Rea said tearfully. Rea's family says the doctors told them he was hit more than 20 times, but investigators did not say how many shots were fired.

The other person in the car, who is believed to be the driver, has been detained, authorities said.

Sheriff's officials say a firearm was recovered at the scene, but it's not clear who it belongs to.

Rea's family gathered at the scene of the shooting, where a small memorial of candles and flowers were set up. They admit to not knowing what exactly happened, but say it did not have to end up with their brother, son and grandson dead.

"They're not dogs," Rea's grandmother, Irene Garcia, said. "Whether they're doing something bad, you shoot them and punish them after. But you don't shoot them down like a dog."