LYNWOOD, CALIFORNIA — On Sunday, a man was fatally shot by a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer on the I-105 Freeway in Lynwood, leading to an extensive road closure and investigation. The incident occurred around 3:15 p.m. after officers responded to reports of a pedestrian on the freeway. Witnesses described the man as tall, dressed in dark clothing, carrying a backpack, talking on the phone, and wearing headphones.
A confrontation ensued when a CHP officer approached the man, who then used a taser against the officer. In response, fearing for his safety, the officer shot the pedestrian. The altercation, captured on video, showed the officer and the man struggling before the officer fired several shots. The injured man was taken to a hospital where he later died; he was identified as 34-year-old Jesse Dominguez.
“During the struggle, the pedestrian was able to access a taser he had in his possession, activated the weapon, and used the taser against the officer,” said a statement from CHP on Monday. “Following the pedestrian’s use of the weapon against the officer, and in fear for his safety, the officer fired his service weapon, striking the pedestrian.”
The video below is graphic. Viewer discretion is advised.
Just another day in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/FHSkvuuobX
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The freeway closure lasted from 4 p.m. Sunday to 1:30 a.m. Monday.
Police defense attorney Tom Yu commented on the complexity of such situations, noting officers sometimes cannot wait for backup. The case will undergo further review by the California Department of Justice’s Special Prosecution Section after the investigation. Meanwhile, the involved officer has been placed on administrative leave as per department protocol.
