Detectives are piecing together the details of a shooting death possibly caused by the accidental or negligent discharge of a rifle Saturday morning in Lancaster.
A suspect in connection with the shooting remained at the scene and was detained for questioning. The rifle was also recovered at the location, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies responded at 2:15 a.m. to the 44600 block of 18th Street West where they found the victim, a man in his early 30s, who was pronounced dead at the scene, Deputy Eric Ortiz said.
The victim was with friends when the suspect pulled out a rifle to show them, sheriff’s officials said. At some point the rifle discharged, striking and killing the victim, said Deputy Enrique Godinez of the Sheriff’s Information Bureau.
“The investigation is ongoing as to whether the rifle was discharged intentionally or negligently,” Godinez said.
Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau detectives urged anyone with information regarding the shooting to call them at 323-890-5500 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.