A violent confrontation on June 20 in Lancaster, California, resulted in a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy being stabbed and the suspect, identified as Robert Castro, being fatally shot by deputies.
The incident began after a 911 call reported a man, later identified as Castro, roaming a parking lot and reportedly swinging knives in public. Deputies arrived in three patrol vehicles and initially observed Castro walking away.
According to the Sheriff's Department, the situation escalated rapidly. As Deputy #1's patrol vehicle had not yet come to a complete stop, Castro allegedly changed direction, ran towards the deputy, and initiated a knife attack. Body camera footage released by authorities appears to show Castro pulling a knife from his pocket before the stabbing. Deputy #1 discharged his service weapon during the assault.
Following the initial shooting, a second deputy moved to assist the wounded officer, who was bleeding from a stab wound. However, Castro was still reportedly reaching for a weapon while on the ground. The second deputy issued commands for Castro to stop reaching, and when he did not comply, the deputy opened fire.
Castro was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Investigators stated that Castro was carrying three knives at the time of the confrontation.
The injured deputy was also taken to a hospital for treatment of his stab wound. [IMAGE11]