Martin Sebastian Video
Martin Sebastian, 28, was shot and killed by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies on March 16, 2024, in East Los Angeles after deputies responded to reports of an armed man harassing customers at a market.
Martin Sebastian, 28, was shot and killed by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies on March 16, 2024, at approximately 9:20 PM near Gage Avenue and Eastman Avenue in East Los Angeles. Deputies responded to reports of an armed man harassing customers at El Tio Tono Market. Sebastian was armed with a metal stick and a replica firearm. When he produced what appeared to be a handgun, deputies opened fire. Sebastian died at the scene.
LASD Critical Incident Briefing - East Los Angeles Station Deputy-Involved Shooting, March 16, 2024
The Incident
On the evening of March 16, 2024, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department received a call at approximately 9:20 PM regarding a possibly armed person causing a disturbance near Gage Avenue and Eastman Avenue in East Los Angeles. Witnesses reported a man harassing customers at El Tio Tono Market.
Deputies from the East Los Angeles Station responded to the scene and made contact with Sebastian. According to the Sheriff’s Department, Sebastian produced what appeared to be a handgun, prompting deputies to open fire. Sebastian was struck and died at the scene.
Still from LASD Critical Incident Briefing video
Investigators later determined that the firearm Sebastian was holding was a replica weapon. A metal stick was also recovered at the scene.
Aftermath
Following the shooting, crowds began gathering in the area around 10:45 PM, attempting to engage with deputies. The Sheriff’s Department established an expanded perimeter around the scene to maintain control of the area.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identified the decedent as 28-year-old Martin Sebastian on March 18, 2024.
Investigation
The California Department of Justice responded to the scene and assumed responsibility for the investigation into the deputy-involved shooting, as required by state law for incidents involving law enforcement officers. The investigation remains ongoing.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Justice System Integrity Division also responded to conduct an independent review of the evidence. As of this writing, no report has been published by the District Attorney’s Office regarding this incident.
Related Documents
LASD Transparency Summary
PDFLos Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputy-involved shooting summary for the Martin Sebastian case
External Coverage & Resources
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