A Compton man found dead following a pursuit and deputy-involved shooting in Compton was publicly identified Friday as the investigation into why he died continued, authorities said.
The victim was Rickie Cornell Starks, 65, coroner’s Lt. Nani Cholakians said.
The shooting was at about 11:20 p.m. Wednesday at the corner of Spruce Street and Aranbe Avenue, Deputy Grace Medrano of the Sheriff’s Information Bureau said.
The incident began when deputies from the Compton sheriff’s station initiated the pursuit of a black Cadillac Escalade for suspected reckless driving or DUI, Medrano said.
Someone in the Escalade opened fire on the deputies with a high-powered assault rife and they returned fire at Spruce Street and Aranbe Avenue, she said. Deputies came under fire a second time in the 1900 block of 199th Street and returned fire, Medrano said.
The Escalade sped away, followed by a sheriff’s department helicopter to Inglewood and a suspect on the passenger side fired several shots at that helicopter, possibly striking the aircraft, she said.
The suspects bailed out and fled on foot and one suspect was arrested while at least one suspect and the assault rifle were outstanding, Medrano said.
Deputies discovered Starks at the corner of Spruce Street and Aranbe Avenue, she said. He appeared to have sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.
“At this time, it is unknown if the victim was shot by the suspect in the fleeing Escalade or if he was caught in the crossfire from the deputy-involved shooting,” Medrano said.
One deputy who suffered graze wounds to his arm and shoulder during the pursuit was treated at a hospital and released, she said.
The black Escalade was armored and had bullet-proof windows and was registered to Compton native and rapper YG, also known as Keenon Jackson, ABC7 reported. It was unknown whether he was in the SUV during the pursuit.