Teen accidentally killed by LA deputies while trying to stop pit bull attack on them
LOS ANGELES _ A teenager fatally shot by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies in Palmdale early Thursday was accidentally killed as he tried to stop his aggressive dog from attacking the officers, according to an internal sheriff's department memo.
The 17-year-old was struck in the chest as he tried to jump on the dog, said the memo, a copy of which was reviewed by the Los Angeles Times. A deputy who had been bitten by the animal was also struck by a bullet fragment in the shooting.
Authorities said deputies had gone to a home around 3:40 a.m. in response to a call about a loud party. As they arrived, a pit bull charged at them and bit one of the deputies in the left knee.
The teenager, who was the owner of the dog, tied up the animal to prevent it from attacking again. Meanwhile, the memo said, the deputies retreated from the home to call for a sergeant, who arrived and checked on the bitten deputy's injuries.
At some point, the pit bull broke free and charged at the deputies again.
_Los Angeles Times
