Violence Involving Deputies

In response to your article “Deputies Shoot Three Men in Separate Weekend Incidents” (May 28), I would like to provide your readers with some additional information so that they may develop a more balanced perspective. In your article regarding Elzie Coleman you reported accurately that a .38-caliber semiautomatic handgun was found near the scene. Investigators later found five live .38 rounds in the suspect’s pants pocket. This would seem to contradict what Tommy Jackson and your other unnamed sources have stated in regards to Coleman not being armed at the time of the shooting.

In the incident involving Tracy Batts on May 25, you did in fact report that he was wanted in connection with an October, 1989, shooting in which a sheriff’s patrol car was hit by gunfire. Two points that your readers may not be aware of are: 1) During the October incident, the weapon the suspect used at the time was an AK-47 assault rifle. 2) On May 17, he was again seen by deputies who tried to arrest him on that day. He pointed a semiautomatic pistol at the deputies before escaping on foot.

During the incident on May 25, he exited the car with a semiautomatic pistol and ran to a yard where he was arrested. Batts was wounded only after he refused to comply with the directions given by the deputies as reported in your article. Given the events leading up to that point, coupled with his actions, the deputies no doubt believed their lives were in danger.

In regards to the Norwalk incident, your writers provided an accurate account of that shooting. The deputies were fired upon by a suspect with a 12-gauge shotgun and subsequently returned fire wounding him in the leg.

I would also like to point out that during this same Memorial Day weekend 20 homicides occurred within Los Angeles County, as covered in your article “Street Crime Death Toll Exceeds 20 For Weekend” (May 29). While three shooting incidents involving our department during a 26-hour period may seem unusual, you have to consider the rising number of violent crimes that are occurring today, many of which are being directed toward law enforcement personnel.

I agree that when law enforcement personnel act inappropriately they must be held accountable for their actions. However, what your readers need to know is that these three reported incidents have grown out of violent confrontations with law enforcement, initiated by the suspects.

SHERMAN BLOCK

Los Angeles County Sheriff