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Man killed in deputy-involved shooting in Lancaster [updated]

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The shooting happened around 5:25 a.m. in the 600 block of West Avenue H-12, where deputies were sent on a report of a domestic violence incident in progress. [Image by ANTHONY CHEVAL]
LANCASTER – A domestic violence suspect who allegedly tried to gain control of a deputy’s handgun during a struggle in Lancaster was killed Thursday in a deputy-involved shooting, authorities said.

The shooting happened around 5:25 a.m. Thursday, June 11, in the 600 block of West Avenue H-12, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

“Lancaster Station deputies responded to the location regarding a domestic violence in progress call for service. When deputies arrived, they made contact with the suspect inside the location and attempted to detain him for a domestic violence investigation,” the news release states.

“The suspect refused to comply with the deputy’s orders, and an altercation between the deputies and the suspect ensued. During the altercation, the suspect reached down and attempted to gain control of one of the deputy’s firearm. It was at that time when a deputy-involved shooting occurred,” the sheriff’s news release states.

The wounded man, about 60, died at the hospital. His name is being withheld pending notification of his next of kin.

No deputies were injured during the incident.

The investigation is ongoing and no further information was immediately released.

UPDATE: The deceased man has been identified by family members as 61-year-old Michael L. Thomas. His family spoke to the media to dispute the LASD’s account of what happened. Read the story at: Family disputes LASD’s account of deputy-involved shooting in Lancaster

[ANTHONY CHEVAL]
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5 comments for "Man killed in deputy-involved shooting in Lancaster [updated]"

  1. All he had to do was comply and not put up a fight. He be alive today. Some people just refuse to comply no matter what. Some people never learn.

  3. This is total [removed] I live maybe five house’s down from where this took place the man couldn’t hear the dam* cops because he was def and blind how the heck can some know what the heck your grabbing for if the CANT SEE!!! Stop posting total bull till uk the full story .

    • This guy is def and blind just like people said about the shooting on K a few weeks then it ends up being a white dude

    • Doesn’t look blind and no hearing aids in his pictures. Im sure if he was it would have been the first thing told in the story. Quit putting false rumours out there. Dumb people might believe your B.S. The dude was probably ignoring you when you saw him if you really do live 5 houses down.