Dion Lamont Ramirez, 53

Dion Lamont Ramirez, a 53-year-old black man, was shot and killed by a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy Tuesday, Oct. 20, in the 400 block of West 111th Street in Vermont Vista, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Shortly before midnight on Oct. 19, deputies saw a person “driving recklessly” near West Century Boulevard and South Vermont Avenue, according to a news release from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Authorities said that the driver sped off, leading deputies to a cul-de-sac in a couple miles away.  As Ramirez turned his car around and faced the deputies, a woman got out of the car. Ramirez then allegedly accelerated his car toward the passenger side of the patrol car where a deputy was standing, authorities said. 

Ramirez struck the patrol car, then the deputy opened fire, according to a news release. Ramirez was hit multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene. The deputy had minor injuries to his legs and wrist.

A woman who was in the car with Ramirez disputed the official account provided by the sheriff’s department.

Sherri Lane told The Times that it was not a pursuit, but that Ramirez was driving fine and passed the deputies, who made a U-turn and began to follow them.

Sherri Lane said that the driver, whom she knew only as Tommy, was trapped by the deputies’ vehicle when he turned around and stopped.

Deputies ordered them both out of the vehicle, and Lane said she stepped out with her hands up. Ramirez did not.

“I was screaming at the police officers, ‘He doesn’t have a gun, he doesn’t have nothing,’” she said. 

Lane said that Ramirez had his hands on the steering wheel when deputies approached the car and, without being provoked, fatally shot him.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @latimeshomicide on Twitter.