Unarmed L.A. 23-year-old is victim killed by deputies when he assumed 'shooting stance'

LOS ANGELES — Authorities today identified a young man who was killed in a deputy-involved shooting in the Florence area when he allegedly assumed a “shooting stance” and pointed his index fingers at deputies investigating a report of a robbery.

The shooting occurred about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday near 64th Street and Holmes Avenue, said sheriff’s Deputy Grace Medrano.

Cristian Rene Medina, 23, of Los Angeles died at the scene, said coroner’s Assistant Chief Ed Winter.

Century Station deputies went to the location regarding a “robbery in progress” call, Medrano said.

“The caller described the suspect (as) wearing a black hoodie sweatshirt, black shorts and having a black handgun,” Medrano said.

“When deputies approached the area, they saw a man that matched the description in the call standing by himself next to a pay phone,” Medrano said. “When the suspect became aware of the deputies’ presence, he took a two- hand shooting stance, and a deputy-involved shooting occurred.”

A weapon was not recovered, Medrano said.

Sheriff’s Lt. Eddie Heandez told reporters the man “took a shooting stance -- something that you would see in a training film, where you place your hands ... in front of you, and bring your two index fingers together. And that’s when the deputies fired.”

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