Family disputes LASD account of fatal deputy-involved shooting

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A homeless man was shot by a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy on July 5. The family says the deputy made a tragic mistake and is trying to cover it up.

"There is no reasonable, even possible explanation for killing Johnny Anderson," said attorney Arnaldo Casillas.

The family presented a forensic recreation of the shooting. They said Anderson was unarmed, standing on one side of a gate and the deputy on the other. The family said there was no confrontation.

"Not only is he six feet away, but there is a fence, a closed fence between the two. It makes no sense," said Casillas.

The deputy shot Anderson, and he died at the scene.

"Their investigation was like a day later he was reaching for the gun, and I'm having a hard time comprehending. How can they say that if on one hand they're saying you have to wait and wait and wait to get answers," said Benny Anderson, Johnny Anderson's brother.

The sheriff's department issued this statement Thursday: "The investigation is still on-going and detectives are still awaiting the Coroner's report and analysis of evidence from the crime lab."

The family wants the district attorney to prosecute the deputy.

"There should be criminal charges. We ask Jackie Lacey that her department stop giving sheriff's deputies the immunity," said Casillas.

As with all deputy-involved shootings, there are several independent investigations: one by the LASD Internal Affairs Bureau and another by the district attorney's office. Those investigations will take several months.