Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna has promised a diligent and unbiased investigation into a recent incident involving a deputy who was caught on video forcefully slamming a woman to the ground and pepper-spraying her outside a grocery store in Lancaster. During a press conference, Luna emphasized the need for an objective assessment to determine if the deputy’s use of force was reasonable, necessary, and proportionate to the situation. He refrained from offering an opinion on the appropriateness of the actions until the internal investigation is completed. However, he did express his concern about the “disturbing” nature of the video.
On June 24, cell phone footage emerged showing the altercation outside a WinCo store on West Avenue K-4. The sheriff’s department released body camera footage from the deputies in response to the video. Luna explained that the deputies had been responding to a call about two customers assaulting store employees. The video shows one deputy detaining a man matching the description provided by the store officials while another deputy approaches a woman who was recording the incident on her cell phone. The deputy forcefully throws the woman to the ground and then struggles to handcuff her, resorting to using pepper spray.
Community activists and residents have expressed their outrage, claiming that this incident reflects a pattern of violent behavior by deputies in Lancaster. The sheriff’s department is still under federal oversight due to a consent decree. Luna, who only recently became aware of the confrontation, has already reached out to elected officials and community leaders. He plans to organize a meeting with community stakeholders to address their concerns regarding the incident.
Luna acknowledged that there is room for improvement but stressed the importance of gathering all the facts before making any definitive judgments. The relationship between the man and woman involved in the incident remains unclear, although some reports suggest they are married. Both were arrested and cited for various alleged violations, including resisting an officer and attempted petty theft. The woman was treated for injuries sustained from the pepper spray and abrasions on her arms.
Apart from the ongoing internal affairs investigation, other agencies such as the county Inspector General’s office and the Department of Justice, which oversees the sheriff’s operations in the area, are likely to conduct their own probes due to the federal consent decree. Luna urged anyone with additional video or witnesses to come forward and assist with the investigation.
Luna emphasized the seriousness with which the department takes the use of force and assured the community that the review process would be objective and thorough. He asked for patience as they work through the investigation and estimated that it would be completed within 45 days. Meanwhile, a group of protesters gathered outside the WinCo store to demand the firing of the involved deputies, questioning Luna’s delayed awareness of the incident. Some members of the group continued their protest inside the store.
For those interested, the body-worn camera videos can be accessed at www.lasdvideos.org/mediaportal/062423-lancaster-incident-dep-1/ and www.lasdvideos.org/mediaportal/062423-lancaster-incident-dep-2/.
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