FBI to review LA deputy killing of 18-year-old shot in back

The FBI said Friday it will review the death of an 18-year-old man who was shot and killed by a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy. The agency will review “all available evidence to determine what federal response is warranted,” according to an FBI statement. Andres Guardado Pinedo was shot five times in the back on June 18, according to both the official autopsy and an independent autopsy arranged by his family.

Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner Dr. Jonathan Lucas released the official results last week despite a Sheriff’s Department request that they remain confidential under a security hold while the shooting is investigated. In response, Sheriff Alex Villanueva said the release of the information “has the potential to jeopardize the investigation, the filing of the case, and any possible future criminal or administrative proceedings.”

The Sheriff’s Department has said the shooting occurred in an unincorporated area near the city of Gardena after two deputies on patrol spotted Guardado with a gun and he ran. Authorities described the weapon as a loaded “ghost” gun that appeared to have been pieced together from different parts, lacked a serial number and had an illegal high-capacity magazine.

The department has not released its account of exactly how the shooting occurred but an attorney for the deputy who fired did give a narrative earlier this week. Adam Marangell, who represents Deputy Miguel Vega, said his client and another deputy saw Guardado with a gun in his waistband. After a chase, Guardado stopped, put the gun on the ground and lay face down but as Vega went to handcuff him, Guardado made a grab for the weapon, the attorney said.

Guardado’s family has denied the gun was his and the shooting has sparked protests. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors late last month called for oversight of the investigation by the county’s inspector general. The board also asked its counsel to report on alternative plans for an independent probe.