A teenage girl died after shooting herself with a firearm she allegedly took from the holster of a deputy at the Industry Sheriff’s Station during an altercation, and the investigation was continuing Monday into the circumstances of her death, authorities said.
The shooting occurred about 7:40 p.m. Sunday at the station at 150 N. Hudson Ave., the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported.
“Investigators learned that on Sunday … at approximately 7:25 p.m., Industry Sheriff’s Station deputies received a family disturbance call for service on the 300 block of Clintwood Avenue in the city of La Puente,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement Monday morning.
“The juvenile’s foster parent reported that the juvenile was suffering from an apparent mental health crisis. Deputies responded to the scene; however, the juvenile had already left on foot before the deputies arrived,” the sheriff’s statement said.
Sheriff’s officials said they didn’t know where the teen was headed at the time of the call. The distance between the La Puente home and Industry Sheriff’s Station is approximately one mile apart.
About 7:40 p.m., the teen knocked on the door of the station and gained entry, and she withdrew a deputy’s handgun during an altercation that ensued, sheriff’s Lt. Art Spencer told reporters at the scene.
During the struggle, the girl “suffered a self-inflicted wound,” Spencer said. He did not specify whether the shooting was intentional or accidental. The investigation was continuing.
Information was not immediately available on the identity of the girl, who died at the scene.
Anyone with information on the case was urged to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Tipsters may also call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS, or use the website lacrimestoppers.org.