Deputy Kills Man During Struggle

A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a 26-year-old man in Athens on Saturday during a struggle over the deputy’s pistol, authorities said.

The dead man’s name was not released pending notification of relatives. Authorities also declined to name the deputy.

The deputy and his partner were driving north on Denker Avenue about 4 p.m. when they pulled over a car that had run a stop sign, Sheriff’s Sgt. Ron Spear said. The occupants of the car fled on foot and the deputy chased one while his partner followed in the patrol car, Spear said.

As the deputy tried to arrest the man, he felt him tugging on his service revolver, Spear said. During the struggle, the deputy shot the man. A second suspect escaped.

A ski mask and handgun were found in the suspects’ car, Spear said.