With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Inquest Into Andres Guardado Killing Ends Without Hearing From The Deputy Who Shot Him
The coroner's office inquest into the death of 18-year-old Andres Guardado has confirmed he was shot multiple times and killed in Gardena last June. The retired justice hearing the case closed the inquest without hearing from the deputies involved or two detectives who investigated.
The findings by retired justice Candace Cooper mention that Guardado's death was not an accident and came "by the hands of another."
Miguel Vega, the deputy who shot Guardado, did not testify at the inquest. At the start of the hearing last November, Vega said he would invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Vega's partner, Chris Hernandez, said he would invoke the Fifth if called to testify, and two detectives called to testify did invoke the constitutional protection.
Cooper said she decided not to call any more witnesses or test the Fifth Amendment claims because she already had enough evidence to make her findings.
Sponsored message
Cooper's findings did not refer to the locations of Guardado's wounds.
A private autopsy requested by the family and the official one released by the coroner — over objections from the sheriff — found that Guardado was shot five times in the back while he was lying on the ground.
Vega's lawyer claimed Guardado had been reaching for a gun he had dropped nearby. Guardado's family disputes that, and has filed a wrongful death suit against the county.
The findings "confirmed what we knew all along," Cristobal and Elisa Guardado said in a statement released by the family's attorneys:
"We now call upon District Attorney Gascón to do what the Sheriff's Department has not, and that is to take action and hold these deputies accountable for their criminal actions ... Our family will not rest until we have justice for Andres."
The man has sued, accusing the deputies of false arrest and a coverup.
Sponsored message
As the Times notes, the department did not investigate the April incident until a few days after Vega killed Guardado.
SEE THE PRIMARY SOURCES:
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters . To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now .
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
