05.09.05 Winston Hayes
Compton Police Shooting
By Hector Becerra
Times Staff Writer
3:20 PM PDT, June 9, 2005
Thirteen deputies involved in a wild shooting in Compton
last month were suspended by Los Angeles County Sheriff
Lee Baca today after he concluded they violated
department pursuit policy.
The deputies fired 120 rounds at a car chase suspect,
sending bullets flying into homes and forcing residents
to dive for cover.
The swift discipline caught some Compton community
leaders by surprise. Many have been critical of the
shooting, and their reaction was mixed.
Compton Mayor Eric Perrodin said this afternoon he felt
the discipline was fair, and hoped promised training
would forestall such incidents in the future.
"I have faith the sheriff's department took everything
into consideration. Based on what I know, I think the
discipline was appropriate," Perrodin said.
However, Butler Street resident Terry Moore, 48, said
she thought the punishment for the deputies should have
been stiffer.
"I don't think they should lose their jobs because I
know we need them and I don't think we should be so hard
on the deputies," said Moore, who scrambled to safety
after the Hayes drove up to her lawn and deputies drew
their
weapons. "I think they should have been suspended at
least a month."
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