(PatriotWise.com) — A 17-year-old girl shot herself in the lobby of a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s station on Sunday after she grabbed a deputy’s sidearm, the Associated Press reported.
In a March 25 press release, the sheriff’s department said deputies were called to the home of the 17-year-old’s foster parents on Sunday at about 7:25 p.m. after her foster parents reported that she was suffering from a mental health crisis.
When deputies arrived at the home, the teenager had already left. At about 7:40 p.m., the girl entered the lobby of the Industry sheriff’s station and “lunged” for a deputy’s firearm.
A struggle over the weapon ensued, and the girl fatally shot herself. Fire Department personnel responded, and the girl was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the deputy whose weapon was used did not have his body cam filming at the time of the incident.
A source within the sheriff’s department told the Times that surveillance footage from the lobby showed that the struggle for the weapon lasted only seconds before the girl shot herself.
According to the footage, in an attempt to keep control of his firearm, the deputy punched the girl. However, it did not stop her from pulling the gun from his holster and using it on herself.
A source investigating the shooting told the Los Angeles Times that it didn’t appear to be an accidental discharge. Instead, the teen appeared to intentionally shoot herself.
Sheriff’s department sources told the Times that when the girl arrived at the Industry station, she caused a commotion by banging on the front door glass. When the deputy opened the door to let her into the lobby, the girl lunged through the door and immediately reached for the deputy’s holstered sidearm.
Due to the girl’s age, her identity was not released.
The sheriff’s office said the investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
According to the Associated Press, this was the first time in five years that someone committed suicide using an on-duty Los Angeles County deputy’s firearm.
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