Sheriff’s Deputies Kill Innocent Crime Victim in West Hollywood
Fleeing Men Shot
Three sheriff’s deputies shot and killed a male hostage fleeing from an assailant. A second fleeing hostage was wounded. The incident unfolded about 9:30 p.m. April 7 in a large apartment complex on Palm Avenue off Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood.
The victim, 30 year old John Winkler was hit in the chest by the deputies. Winkler succumbed to his wounds. Another victim fleeing the apartment was shot in the leg and will survive. Deputies believed Winkler was the assailant.
Man with a Knife
Sheriff’s deputies got a 911 call about an assailant with a knife in an apartment in one of the complex’s buildings. A witness told deputies there were two men in the apartment and that the assailant was a thin white man wearing a black shirt.
Deputies “announced themselves” at the apartment but got no response. The door suddenly burst open and a bloodied man came out with Winkler close behind. Winkler fit the description of a white man in a black shirt.
The deputies believed “Winkler was the assailant and the assault was ongoing and he would attack the entry team,” officials said. After the deputies fired on Winkler and the other man they heard “sounds of a fight coming from inside the apartment,” according to the statement.
Suspect Arrested
They entered the apartment and saw another male victim as well as the suspect, later identified as Alexander McDonald. McDonald was choking the victim and “tearing at his face,” officials said. The deputies subdued and arrested him.
In a statement issued April 11 through the Seattle law firm of Osborn Machler, Winkler’s uncle, Craig Dawson, described his nephew as “an incredibly giving young man” with “a bright wit and kind word for anyone he met.” He added the family is seeking to understand “the reasons why the sheriff’s deputies shot and killed John.”
If you have been arrested for a Violent Crime in Los Angeles the Law Offices of Daniel R. Perlman can help. Please contact the Los Angeles criminal lawyers at the Law Offices of Daniel R. Perlman today to have your case reviewed.http://www.danielperlmanlaw.com
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