Lancaster Sheriff Offered New Resources After Series of Shootings

LANCASTER, Calif. (CNS) — Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger on Friday expressed support for plans to increase public safety resources in Lancaster after the community was rocked by a series of shootings that left four people dead in 24 hours.

“I appreciate Sheriff Robert Luna’s decision to take immediate action and send a surge of specialized law enforcement teams to prevent further violence and keep the community safe,” Barger said in a statement. communicated. “I am also pleased that Mayor R. Rex Parris said the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has heard Lancaster's concerns.

Earlier this week, Parris complained that the Lancaster sheriff's station was overworked and understaffed, creating frustration in a city that has a contract with the department to keep the community safe.

Sheriff's officials said the department was “meeting our contractual obligations” to maintain order in the city, but said the agency plans to increase its patrols and visibility in the city.

Four fatal shootings were reported Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.

The violence began around 7:20 p.m. Tuesday, when a man was injured in a shooting at Avenue J-8 and West 30th Street.

Tuesday at 8:45 p.m., a man was fatally shot in the parking lot of Whit Carter Park in the 45600 block of Sierra Highway. In this case, a light-colored compact vehicle was seen driving away from the scene, sheriff's officials said.

On Tuesday at 9:20 p.m., a male juvenile was fatally shot at a Chevron gas station in the 400 block of East Avenue L by two male suspects armed with handguns who left in a white SUV.

Two men died at an area hospital at 5:55 p.m. Wednesday after being found with gunshot wounds in the 800 block of East Avenue J-12.

Shortly afterward, investigators learned that other gunshot victims began showing up at area emergency rooms, likely as a result of the same shooting.

Ultimately, the Sheriff's Department identified five other victims who were shot but in stable condition, authorities said.

“All of the victims were in the same location when the shooting first occurred,” the department said. “Homicide detectives have learned that this shooting was gang-related and are currently in the process of gathering more information on the suspects and continuing to work the scene.”

Sheriff's officials did not release specific details, but said the Lancaster station would increase its visibility by deploying personnel to focus on areas affected by recent violence. The station will engage community members at various city events to discuss safety issues and share ongoing efforts to improve public safety.

“In addition, we will be moving specialized teams from the department to targeted areas of Lancaster to enhance security. We are leveraging all available department resources and tools to prevent further violence and apprehend the individuals responsible for these killings. Our homicide investigators are working diligently to analyze information and evidence from each incident.

Barger stressed the importance of working with local officials to ensure the city's public safety needs are met.

“Collaboration is essential to solving problems and working on behalf of our shared citizens,” she said. “Together, we are sending a clear message to the community that the law will be enforced and respected. Ensuring public safety is our top priority collectively.”