Two deputies fatally shot a black man after they tried to stop him for allegedly riding a bicycle in an unlawful manner, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department announced.
A protest which erupted saw people march to the sheriff’s station after the Monday afternoon shooting, demanding justice.
Sheriff’s Lt. Brandon Dean revealed that two deputies from the South Los Angeles station were driving when they saw a man riding his bicycle in violation of vehicle codes, according to the Los Angeles Times. It was not known which codes the man allegedly broke, Dean said.
When deputies tried to stop the man, he got off his bike and ran, with deputies in pursuit, Dean said. Deputies again tried to make contact with the man, and Dean said he punched a deputy in the face. The man then dropped a bundle of clothes he’d been carrying and they spotted a black handgun in the bundle, at which point both deputies opened fire, Dean said.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say the handgun was recovered and no deputies were injured.
Family members at the scene identified the dead black man as Dijon Kizzee, 29, according to media outlet CBS-Los Angeles .
Protesters gathered demanding answers, and more than 100 people marched to a sheriff’s station on Imperial Highway. Some said they didn’t think the shooting was justified while others chanted, “Say his name” and “No justice, no peace” .
Arlander Givens, 68, lives in the neighborhood. He questioned why deputies fired at a man who, according to the sheriff’s official, wasn’t holding a weapon.
“If he reached down to grab it, that’s different,” Givens said in an interview. “But if it’s on the ground, why shoot? That means he was unarmed.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department tweeted in a statement that multiple independent investigations began at the scene, as is customary with deputy-involved shootings.
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