The shooting happened at a home on the 45100 block of Loma Vista Drive, and it was reported to authorities at 6:43 a.m. on Sunday, May 12, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Information Bureau.
Deputies were sent to a home in response to a “burglary now, person shot” call and located a man who had suffered a gunshot wound to the upper body. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“It appears that the male, [white] adult suspect entered the residence through one of the downstairs rear windows of the location,” the news release states.
“[The preliminary investigation] revealed that a family was inside their home when they heard loud banging noises,” the news release states.
A family member then entered the upstairs bedroom, where “fearing for his safety and the safety of his children, the resident armed himself with a handgun and fired one shot, striking the suspect,” according to the sheriff’s news release. No residents were injured.
“The investigation is ongoing and there is no additional information available at this time,” the sheriff’s news release states.
Sheriff’s homicide detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
Editor’s note: The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has made a correction on the previously issued news release. “The suspect is a White adult and not a Black adult, as previously stated,” sheriff’s officials stated in the revised news release. The above article has been corrected, as well.
UPDATE: The deceased intruder has been identified as Michael Lashomb, a 27-year-old homeless man, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.
BenDover says
The suspect had intense mental issues but from what i heard was harmless and has never hurt anyone.
Im not justifying his actions one bit just saying that its a sad situation not only for the family of the suspect but also for the victims. I pray for both.
Homeowner says
Bravo!
ANNON says
Whatever color the perp was…. great job to the homeowner. KUDOS! Let’s get that man a Citizen Commendation of the year award.
AV Illegal says
It is so funny how a homeowner can kill an unarmed man and everyone (most everyone) cheers and says good riddance, but if a police officer shoots someone, no matter the reason or circumstance, they could have done better and there is a conspiracy at hand.
Mark says
What the Fock r u trying to say dip Ship!
AV Illegal says
Already said it. Sorry you can’t understand the simple obvious double standard spelled out here. Homeowner kills an unarmed guy in his house…..yea, got what he deserved, dead ghetto thug. Cop shoots an armed guy who points guns at them or refuse to comply with drop the gun commands and it is time to prosecute the corrupt cop, or better yet, hang him without a trial or anything.
Hopefully Mark, I made it easier to understand what I am saying. I did it without even calling you childish names.
Tim Scott says
So, let me get this straight…your complaint is that cops aren’t allowed to shoot UNARMED guys who point GUNS at them, and you are wondering why people don’t understand what you are trying to say?
Try explaining again when you sober up officer.
AV Illegal says
Ah Tim, so glad to see your lack of intelligence finally showing up on this one. My complaints is the hypocrite felons such as yourself trying to justify your lack of consistency.
Non drinker, non officer. Sorry dude. Just someone who appreciates good justice, private or law enforcement.
Alexis says
He’s no felon. He didn’t know the difference between jail and prison. I, on the other hand am a felon that is a law abiding, tax paying citizen.
Mike says
The man broke into someone’s house while they were home, you idiot. The homeowner didn’t know if the intruder was armed or not. He isn’t a “trained” law enforcement officer. idiot. He was protecting his family from an intruder, idiot.
AV Illegal says
Aw, did I interrupt your day Mike. Such a mature name caller. If you don’t agree, shout louder. If you were intelligent enough you would figure out I am on the side of the homeowner. I was merely trying to point out how so many rush to immediate decisions just because someone has a badge.
Have another beer Mike and chill a little. You anger to easily.
Mike says
Unfortunately AV Illegal I’m not impressed with your faux superior intellect. I saw nowhere in your original statement any indication of support for the homeowner. Apparently I’m not the only person that didn’t get it. While your superior intellect is beyond our range, perhaps you should brush up on your communication skills. I do apologize if I came across as angry. I just have a low tolerance for BS and stupidity. My bad…….
AV Illegal says
No problem Mike, sorry I was not clear. If these things happened more…..they would not happen more, if you get what I mean.
AV Illegal says
And I didn’t think it was showing superior intellect….just having a conversation. I didn’t even use real big words, geeze.
Ron says
Brandon you sound like a moron. What if the guy breaking in is there to kill you? You don’t sit around and wait . You take them out.
Surfside 6 says
Not your best day huh liberals? But hold hands and sing : “you shall overcome” anyway…
A jv says
Another one bites the dust
Christina says
It is crazy to think if the suspect was homeless, deaf, or scared it somehow warrants him breaking in to the residence? It is unfortunate a life was lost but the homeowner was in the right. That’s why YOU DON’T BREAK INTO PEOPLE’S HOUSES* or ultimately break the law. Just saying.
Lancaster Resident says
Don’t wish death on no one, but protecting your family is the number one thing. Hope this sends a message to all the ghetto thugs in the city.
JB says
Sure hope so. Been here since ’87 and it hurts seeing the city I remember being over run by leeches who don’t know any better then to be the buttholes of society.
Gowchong says
JB…I’ve been in the AV sincd 1956. Imagine how I feel with the changes that have happened when I first moved here.
Former AV Resident says
Our family moved to Palmdale in 1959 & Lancaster in 1965. The Antelope Valley sure has turned into a cesspool as the “liberals” have invaded from L.A. I moved to Bakersfield in 1993 and don’t even like visiting Lancaster to see family. At least I can legally carry a gun to defend my family thanks to Sheriff Donny Youngblood respecting our Constitution, unlike LAC Sheriff Alex Villanueva and his many predecessors for decades have refused to allow law-abiding residents the ability to have a real means of defending themselves outside their homes. I will never live in L.A. Co. again.
David says
Good For The Homeowner, And I Hope The Suspects Family Had A Good Mother’s Day Send Them All Back To The Hood.
cousin says
This man was NOT from the “hood” – he in fact was a member of my family. He had psychological problems for many years and his family did everything they could to keep him out of trouble and off of the streets. As for the suspects family “having a good mothers days” as you stated above – his mother is totally devastated as is the whole family. I hope you never have to lose a child or any other member of your family in this manner, God forbid, but I hope if you ever do, that people have more empathy than you have expressed!
John says
So sorry for you, and your family’s loss. My deepest prayers and condolences go out to his mom and the rest of the family.
Gowchong says
My condolences. I am of the philosophy that when one dies, their soul continues to live on, either in the presence of God or separated from Him forever. I also am a Vietnam veteran. I have seen death close up. I hate it.
I am an armed citizen. If someone breakes into my home and I feel threatened, I will take appropriate (at least for me) action to protect my loved ones. I won’t play 20 questions with the intruder to find out their mental condition.
I trust you hold no harm against the man who was (in his mind) defending his family. He had no way of knowing the mental state of your cousin. I have no doubt he is not pushing our his chest in bravado. Rest assured this will play on his mind until the day he dies, much like my involvement in a combat zone will play on my mind until the day I die.
Again, my condolences.
Robert says
Great job!
Another one of the street.
Protect yourself says
Good job to the homeowner. Take these clowns off of the streets.
Home Security says
“A man, possibly a burglary suspect, was shot dead by a resident…”
Thank you.
Blake says
Great job. Protecting his family is his #1 job. I consider him a hero for that and to bad for the other guy. Should have been in his own place at 630 in the morning…
Kudos to the homeowner.
Brandon says
That poor man was someone’s son or dad. Could have shot him in the leg. Maybe homeless deaf scared. SMH
Not you says
You watch to much tv, in a situation where someone has broken into your home, you rush to get your gun, unlock the child protective lock, slap a magazine in (assuming it’s an auto), rack the slide, then aim for the leg? With all the BS California forces a gun owner to do, this guy is lucky he got a shot off.
Laughing says
Brandon, when defending yourself you often do not have time to take careful aim. This is why even police and soldiers are trained to shoot center mass of the body.
Being shot in the leg can be just as fatal by the way, as one of our largest arteries are in the leg.
Also if someone is hopped up on drugs, a shot to an extremity is NOT going to make them pause/stop.
Tom says
Why so he can do it again, and sue the home owner that shot him. Dude got what was coming to him.
Anthony Morris III says
Praised be Jehovah for getting another one of these thugs off the street.
Bob says
I understand your thinking but this man was not a thug. He was a 27 year old kid who was homeless and had severe mental health issues. I’m not going to defend him because he shouldn’t have broke into someones house and the homeowner did what he thought was right to protect his family. I would do the same thing if I were in that situation. But to judge the person and call them a thug without knowing the whole story is just plain wrong. His family has tried and tried to get him help and get him off the streets but they had no legal recourse to have him committed or locked up. I love how you praise Jehovah for someone getting killed.
Hal Jordan says
I still believe we need to keep these people locked away from polite society for their own good and for ours, and we used to do that before “deinstitutionalization.” But now, the government’s answer is a simple “we can’t,” so these folks continue to walk the streets and prey on others and get killed for it. How many more must die before we find the compassion to house these people securely in locations where they will not be a danger to themselves and others?