The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the fatal shooting of a Black man by two deputies Monday afternoon, the Associated Press reports. The department said on its Twitter account that, “a fight ensued between the suspect and deputies.” The man produced a handgun and “a deputy-involved ‘hit’ shooting” occurred. Sheriff’s Lt. Brandon Dean said two deputies were driving when they saw a man riding his bicycle in violation of vehicle codes. When deputies tried to stop the man, he dropped his bike and ran, with deputies in pursuit. The man allegedly punched a deputy in the face.
He dropped a bundle of clothes he’d been carrying and deputies 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 man as Dijon Kizzee, 29. Protesters gathered demanding answers, and more than 100 people marched to a sheriff’s station. Some said they didn’t think the shooting was justified. Arlander Givens, 68, a nearby resident, questioned why deputies fired at a man who wasn’t holding a weapon. “If he reached down to grab it, that’s different,” Givens told the Los Angeles Times. “But if it’s on the ground, why shoot? That means he was unarmed.