Breaking: Gang Member Dies In Officer Involved Shooting In West Whittier

Location of officer involved shooting in West Whittier on Friday morning on Duchess Drive.

By Brian Hews

A Pico Rivera Sheriff’s deputy and a sergeant were involved in a shooting on Friday morning in Unincorporated West Whittier that resulted in the death of a known gang member, law enforcement officials have confirmed.

Deputy Guillermina Saldana of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department told members of the media that a Pico Rivera Sheriff’s deputy and a sergeant were patrolling in the 6800 block of Duchess Drive in the county area of Whittier when they stopped to talk with two known gang members who belonged to a local street gang. 

“As they exited their car, one of the individuals ran towards the backyard of a house. The sergeant followed the suspect into the backyard where he saw the suspect pointing a handgun in his direction and a deputy-involved shooting occurred. The suspect sustained two gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics,” said Saldana. 

The suspect’s loaded handgun was recovered at the scene, and the sergeant did not sustain any injuries.  The second individual was questioned and released.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the websitehttp://lacrimestoppers.org.