Joshua Joel Quintero, 23

Joshua Quintero, a 23-year-old Latino, was shot and killed by a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy on Thursday, Sept. 1, in an alley west of Beach Street, between East 83rd and East 84th streets, in Florence-Firestone, according to  Los Angeles County coroner’s records. 

Sheriff’s deputies were called about 5:48 p.m. regarding a gunshot victim, said Lt. Mike Rosson. Two deputies arrived within about 30 seconds and found a black man who had been shot in the abdomen, he said.

The gunshot victim was conscious but unwilling to talk to deputies about what happened, Rosson said.

In the meantime, deputies noticed three people walking in the middle of 84th Street. Two deputies asked if they had seen anything, Rosson said. 

“They were also investigating to be sure they weren’t involved in the shooting,” he said, “when one male, who turned out to be Mr. Quintero, took off running.” 

The deputies chased Quintero into an alley that ends at an 8-foot-tall wrought-iron fence. 

As the lead deputy approached the fence, he saw Quintero pull a revolver out of his waistband, Rosson said, "and fearing for his safety, the deputy fired.” 

Quintero was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:30 p.m., with a gunshot wound to the head, according to coroner’s records. 

Investigators found a loaded revolver where Quintero fell. The gun had not been fired, Rosson said, and investigators later determined that Quintero and his companions had not been involved in the earlier shooting. 

The victim of the initial shooting was taken to the hospital, where he is expected to recover, Rosson said. Investigators don’t have any leads in that case, he said. 

As with all deputy-involved homicides, Quintero’s shooting is being investigated by the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau. The  name of the deputy has not been released. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.  

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @latimeshomicide on Twitter.