An 80-year-old man was killed Thursday morning in a shooting as Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies served a search warrant in connection with a narcotics operation at a property in the desert community of Littlerock.
The shooting occurred in the 36600 block of 117th Street East (map) in the remote unincorporated area north of Angeles National Forest. The man, whose identity was not released Thursday morning, was pronounced dead at the scene.
No deputies were injured in the 7:30 a.m. shooting, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Just before 4 p.m., the department said in statement that homicide detectives are continuing to investigate the shooting.
"When deputies approached a rear bedroom at the location, they encountered an 80-year-old male who was armed with a semi-automatic handgun. The suspect pointed the handgun at the deputies and a deputy-involved shooting occurred," the statement read.
The weapon, pot and pot-growing equipment were recovered at the home, part of a multi-unit property. Residents who lived in other units were detained for questioning and later released, according to the statement.
Earlier in the day, Lt. Dave Dolson said deputies entered the home through an unlocked front door, Dolson said. One deputy fired as they encountered the man armed with a handgun, he said.
The deceased man might be the property owner, according to authorities. Dolson could not confirm whether the man fired his weapon.
Shootings involving LA County Sheriff's deputies are investigated independently by several agencies, including the offices of the Los Angeles County District Attorney and Coroner, and the Sheriff's Homicide and Internal Affairs bureaus.
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