Joshua Stephenson, 25

Rosemead, California
October 01, 2008

Agencies: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department California LASD | Temple Sheriff's Station California

Cause of death: Shooting


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Last updated: almost 6 years ago

Overview

Police said Stephenson was “armed with a pole.”

Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies fatally shot an unidentified man after he allegedly attacked one of them with a metal pole in the 3200 block of Burton Avenue at 12:08 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1.

Deputies involved in the shooting had been called to investigate reports of an assault with a deadly weapon after the man allegedly stabbed his girlfriend with a long knife or sword, then ran away, said  Sgt. Rich Pena of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Deputies set up a perimeter, using police dogs and helicopters to find the man inside an empty house, where he allegedly threatened them with the pole, Pena said. He injured one of the deputies, Pena said.

"They determined that the person was dangerous due to the crime he had already committed, and he attacked them with a metal weapon," Pena said. "Fearing for their safety, they took action."