Deputy-Involved Shooting at West Hills Michaels Store Leaves One Dead

A deputy-involved shooting at a Michaels store in West Hills resulted in one fatality on Thursday night. The incident took place at The Fallbrook Center, situated at Fallbrook Avenue and Vanowen Street in Los Angeles.

Details of the Shooting Incident

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed the shooting occurred, noting that no deputies were harmed. However, details regarding the motive and the identity of any suspects remain unclear.

Law Enforcement Response

Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the shooting. The Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles Fire Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service were present, but the sheriff’s department is leading the investigation.

Witness Accounts

Witnesses described a chaotic scene. One bystander, Shawn Dadon, recounted hearing several rapid gunshots while dining nearby. He initially thought the noise was a car, but after recognizing the sound of gunfire, he observed significant police activity.

• “We heard some automatic weapon gunshots,” Dadon reported.
• He described hearing a series of gunshots, followed by a pause, and then more shots.
• Dadon saw unmarked police vehicles leaving the shopping center shortly after the incident.

Investigation Developments

During the investigation, aerial footage captured by AIR7 showed a heightened police presence at the location, including multiple vehicles in the parking lot. Notably, there were visible bullet holes in one of the store’s windows.

An uncovered body was also seen in the parking lot, alongside a firearm. It is unclear if this shooting is tied to any ongoing criminal activities, but a security guard indicated potential connections to armed robberies occurring in Calabasas and Agoura Hills.

Conclusion

The situation at the Michaels store remains under investigation, with law enforcement working diligently to uncover further details. As the community comes to terms with this tragic event, the sheriff’s department has urged anyone with information to come forward.