An 18-year-old male suspect was shot and killed by a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy Thursday night outside a Michaels craft store in West Hills, California. The incident unfolded during a surveillance operation in the shopping center parking lot and has sparked an ongoing investigation by authorities.
Deputies Respond to Suspicious Activity in West Hills
Around 8:40 p.m. on January 22, detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Major Crimes Bureau were conducting surveillance in the Fallbrook Center area when they observed what they believed to be an armed robbery in progress near the entrance of the Michaels store.
Officials say the male suspect allegedly approached a female victim while brandishing a semi-automatic handgun. When deputies attempted to intervene and prevent the robbery, a confrontation ensued, and one deputy opened fire, striking the suspect. Despite immediate rendering of aid, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were reported injured during the exchange of gunfire.
Suspect Identified, Investigation Continues
While authorities have not publicly released the names of the deceased suspect or the deputy, community posts and reports indicate the victim was an 18-year-old man from Moreno Valley.
A female accomplice reportedly fled the scene in a vehicle after the shooting but was later located and taken into custody by deputies in Agoura Hills without incident. Law enforcement also recovered a loaded semi-automatic handgun at the site of the shooting.
Ongoing Inquiries
Sheriff’s investigators are exploring whether the incident is linked to a series of recent armed robberies and an assault with a deadly weapon in the region. Authorities have appealed to the public to share any information that may help with their investigation.
Local Reactions and Aftermath
Family members of the deceased have expressed shock and heartbreak, noting that the teen had recently completed high school and that such actions were out of character. Community members are awaiting further updates as the Sheriff’s Department continues its review of the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
