Sheriff Villanueva challenges LeBron James to match reward money for Compton shooting gunman

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Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Villanueva challenges LeBron James to match reward for Compton gunman
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva is challenging LeBron James to match the reward money being offered in the hopes of arresting the gunman who ambushed two deputies in Compton over the weekend.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva is challenging LeBron James to match the reward money being offered in the hopes of arresting the gunman who ambushed two deputies in Compton over the weekend.

In a radio interview Monday, Villanueva said he knows LeBron cares about law enforcement and a good way to show his support would be to pitch in on the reward, which has now increased to $200,000.

The sheriff also said we need to appreciate "that respect for life goes across all professions."

It's not known whether LeBron is aware of the sheriff's challenge but the Lakers star has recently been vocal about social justice issues and has condemned police misconduct, including in the case of Breonna Taylor.

A manhunt continued Tuesday for the gunman who brazenly shot two Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies as they sat in a patrol SUV at a Compton Metro station, with a reward for information leading to the suspect increasing to $200,000

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page for the two L.A. County sheriff's deputies wounded in Saturday's ambush shooting has swelled to over $300,000.

The deputies remain hospitalized but Villanueva was hopeful Monday about their prognosis.

Anyone with information regarding the suspect was encouraged to contact the Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.