Newly released body-worn camera and surveillance video captures the moment a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy was stabbed just seconds after arriving at a report of an armed man, prompting deputies to open fire and fatally shoot the suspect.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department released the footage Tuesday from the June 20 confrontation in a Lancaster parking lot. The incident left one deputy injured and 23-year-old Robert Castro shot by deputies. Castro later died following the shooting.
Authorities said the encounter began when a 911 caller reported seeing a man carrying several knives in a public area.
“Hey, I just want to make a report of a guy with some knives … swinging them in public,” the caller told a dispatcher.
Body camera video released by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department shows 23-year-old Robert Castro shortly before officials say he stabbed a sheriff’s deputy during a June 20 encounter in Lancaster, Calif. (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)
The caller told dispatchers that Castro appeared to be “fighting with someone” while holding a large knife. The caller also voiced concern after Castro looked toward a woman who was walking to a nearby bus stop.
Surveillance footage shows deputies pulling into the parking lot with their emergency lights activated as Castro continued walking through the area while armed.
According to the sheriff’s department, Castro abruptly turned before the first deputy’s patrol vehicle had fully stopped, charged toward the deputy, drew a knife and stabbed him.
A still image from deputy body camera footage released by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department shows Robert Castro approaching an arriving deputy while holding what investigators say was one of three knives recovered. (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)
The wounded deputy then drew his service weapon and opened fire.
The deputy activated his body camera after firing his weapon, but the camera’s pre-event recording feature captured the 60 seconds leading up to the stabbing without audio.
A second deputy’s body camera captured him arriving as the first deputy fired his weapon.
Surveillance video released by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department shows deputies arriving before investigators say Robert Castro suddenly charged toward an arriving deputy and stabbed him. (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)
The video shows Castro on the ground as the deputy checked on his wounded colleague. When Castro moved one of his hands, the deputy repeatedly yelled, “Stop reaching,” before opening fire again.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department released images of two knives recovered after authorities say 23-year-old Robert Castro stabbed a sheriff’s deputy during a June 20 confrontation in Lancaster, Calif. (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)
Deputies rendered medical aid to Castro until Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel arrived. Castro was transported to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Authorities said Castro was armed with three knives, including the one investigators say he used to stab the deputy.
The wounded deputy was hospitalized for treatment. No other deputies or civilians were injured.
The California Department of Justice is investigating the shooting as required under state law for officer-involved fatalities.
The sheriff’s department said it released the video before the investigation was complete “in the interest of transparency with the community we serve.”
