Deputies were summoned by a domestic violence in progress call about 5:20 a.m. Deputies forced their way into the home after Michael Thomas told them it was his right to not let them in. Thomas’ girlfriend, who was with him at the time, reported that four deputies proceeded to restrain Thomas, while a fifth shot him in the stomach. Deputies said Thomas was fighting them off as they tried to handcuff him, and that he reached for one of their handguns when he was shot.
Victim's Name: Michael Blu Thomas
Agency Responsible: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Gender: Male
Age: 63
Race: Black
Date of Death: June 11, 2020
County: Los Angeles
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Official Disposition: Pending investigation/No Known Charges
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: No
Armed: Unclear
Weapon: undetermined
Threat Level: undetermined
Fleeing: Not fleeing
Body Camera: No
Washington Post Database ID: 5915