A Los Angeles security guard was shot and killed by police officers while he was guarding a local auto shop in Gardena.
RELATED STORIES:Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti Slashes LAPD Budget Amid ‘Defund Police’ Movement
According to Los Angeles CBS Local, Andres Guardado,18, was guarding an auto shop when police approached him Thursday night believing he had a handgun. The auto shop’s owner, Andrew Heney, said the teen was keeping watch at the site to prevent graffiti taggers and other security issues. He added that “the police came up, and they pulled their guns on him and he ran because he was scared, and they shot and killed him. He’s got a clean background and everything. There’s no reason.”
RELATED STORIES: California Mayor Resigns After Emailing “No Good Person Of Color” Has Ever Been Killed By Police
A spokesperson from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement that the officers pursued Guardardo on foot before the shooting and it was unclear if he was wearing a uniform.
“Deputies engaged in a short foot pursuit between the two businesses, at some point the deputies contacted the suspect and that’s when the deputy-involved shooting occurred,”
Investigators say a handgun was found at the scene but Guardado’s family has disputed the claims.
Guardado’s family said that he was working two jobs and was trying to become a registered nurse.