William Lazaro Quiros Jr., 32

June 30, 2011, 3:39 p.m.

William Quiros Jr., a 32-year-old Latino, was fatally shot by a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy Thursday, June 23, in the 12800 block of South Prairie Avenue in Hawthorne, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Deputies were on patrol about 7 p.m. when they spotted Quiros, who authorities said was a known gang member and parolee. They turned their car to talk to him, but he got into a car and refused commands to get out, said Sgt. Diane Hecht.

"Suddenly the suspect got out of the car and began fighting the deputies," Hecht said.

During the struggle, one deputy felt Quiros’ waistband and felt a weapon, according to authorities. At least one deputy then shot Quiros who died at the scene.

A handgun was recovered, authorities said. One deputy who was struck in the face was treated for bruises.

-- Robert Faturechi

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28 reader comments

It doesn't matter who child's father was; it matters who I remember he was. When a great man dies, for years the light he leaves behind him, lies on the paths of men. Death is the wish of some, the relief of many, and the end of all. Death never takes the wise man by surprise, he is always ready to go.It was very hard for all of us. It's still very hard. The anniversary of his death just passed, and every single one of his friends, still, after all these years... it's unbelievable. All in all the main thing is that all I mainly hear mentioned is all the bad but not one thing is mentioned about the good he was working to be. He was a struggling addict and the lifestyle alone was what did him in. I love you regardless tho by boy thankful to you for the time you had on this earth with me. And I'm grateful for my daughter. I won't let you down.

K.E

— Anonymous Nov. 26, 2019 at 7:52 a.m.

Its funny, Cuba and I always had the God talk , what it would be like when we met our maker, and what this life was really all about. The last I talked to him was by a chance meeting at barnes and noble, he was trying to get back to doing right, understood his struggle, and admitted his short comings. He always had a good heart, caught up in the wrong lifestyle but I believe he was trying to change. Just didn't get the chance to. On paper, to make an assessment of his character would be to say he was a criminal, but to know him personally, as a friend, he was a good person with good intentions. I love you Cuba ...Tenacious Haha . Never failed to make me laugh. I can almost see you walking down my street with a new story, a new outfit, That was Cuba. RIP

— melissa June 8, 2013 at 10:05 p.m.