Coroner’s officials Sunday released the name of a 61-year-old man who was killed during a deputy-involved shooting in Lancaster, where he allegedly tried to gain control of a deputy’s handgun during a struggle.

The 61-year-old man was identified as Michael Thomas of Lancaster.

The shooting occurred about 5:30 a.m. Thursday in the 600 block of West Avenue H-12, where deputies were sent on a report of a domestic violence incident in progress, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

“When deputies arrived, they made contact with the suspect inside the location and attempted to detain him for a domestic violence investigation,” a sheriff’s department statement said. “The suspect refused to comply with the (deputies’) orders, and an altercation between the deputies and the suspect ensued.

“During the altercation, the suspect reached down and attempted to gain control of one of the deputy’s firearm,” the statement said. “It was at that time when a deputy-involved shooting occurred.”

Thomas died at an area hospital.

Detectives have learned the suspect’s girlfriend called 911 to report the domestic violence incident, but never spoke to the operator. She left the phone line open and several minutes of arguing and fighting between the caller and the suspect could be heard in the background, the department said.

The suspect’s girlfriend later gave a recorded statement to deputies in which she confirmed she had placed the 911 call and had been assaulted by the suspect, the LASD said.

No deputies were injured.

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