Teen killed in East LA deputy-involved shooting

A traffic stop Thursday night in East L.A. ended with an 18-year-old killed in a deputy-involved shooting.

*UPDATE* At 11 PM last night, @EastLALASD Deputies were involved in a shooting during a traffic stop. A male Hispanic adult was struck by gunfire, was transported to a local hospital, & has been pronounced deceased. A firearm was recovered at the scene. Investigation Continues.

— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) June 28, 2019

The incident occurred just before 11 pm on the 300 block of S. Gerhart Avenue. According to a statement released by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, deputies had stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation. Authorities said one of two people in the vehicle got out and got into a physical altercation, and one of the deputies opened fire.

According to the Sheriff’s Department, the victim, identified only as an 18-year-old Hispanic male, was taken to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

UPDATE: Family identifies the man shot & killed by deputies in East LA as 18 yr old Paul Rea. They say he was only 5 ft tall, and wouldn’t have posed a threat to deputies. @CBSLA pic.twitter.com/lvYNIkef2r

— Tina Patel (@tina_patel) June 28, 2019

CBS 2 reported that family members later identified the victim as Paul Rea. Family members gathered at the scene of the shooting, where a memorial was set up.

Authorities said a firearm was recovered from the scene, but it was not clear who it belonged to. The vehicle’s driver was detained but as of Friday morning had not been arrested. No deputies were injured in the shooting, which is under investigation.