Andres Guardado Pineda, 18

Gardena, California
June 18, 2020

Agencies: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department California LASD

Cause of death: Shooting

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Last updated: over 3 years ago

Overview

18-year-old Andres Guardado Pineda was shot and killed in West Compton, California on June 18, 2020 by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officer.  A witness stated that Guardado had been standing on the sidewalk with a woman near an auto repair shop where he worked as a security guard.  According to the department's report, patrolling police officers spotted a gun (specificially an unregistered, illegal hunting device) in his waistband area, and tried to approach him.  The Sheriff's Department claimed that Guardado ran away but was later cornered by deputies.  According to their attorneys, at that point the officers say that Guardado eventually put the firearm down then got on the ground, face-down.  However, their official statement claims that Guardado Pineda reached for his waistband, and so Depty Miguel Vega opened fire.  A gun belonging to a deputy, along with another weapon was recovered at the scene according to their report, and there is no evidence that Guardado fired any shots.

According to his attorney the second deputy, Chris Hernandez, did not open fire and only had a patial view of Guardado.

Legal Action

The Los Angeles County deputy medical examiner completed a full autopsy on June 22, 2020, rulling the cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds.  The Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner released a press statement, linked below, despite the "security hold" issued by the Sheriff's Department.

The family of Guardado Pineda also released the results of their independent autopsy on June 22, 2020.  Both reports concluded that he was shot five times in the back and his death was ruled a homicide.

A preliminary forensic toxicoloy reports also determined that Guardado Pineda didn't have any drugs or alcohol in his system.

The LA County Board of Supervisors has called for an independent investigation into the incident.

LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva says the department intends to release reports of their investigation after it is complete.  The Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission and its investigative arm, the Office of Inspector General, say that the department has refused to hand over vital documents.  No video footage of the incident has been publicized.

Community and Family Efforts

The family of Guardado Pineda demanded the Sheriff's Department release all information during a press conference two weeks after his death.  There have also been multiple protests surrounding Guardado's death and police brutality, along with demands for the firing and prosecution of Vega.