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PHOTOS: The March On Compton Sheriff's Station To Protest The Shooting Of Andres Guardado
(Brian Feinzimer for LAist)
Last Thursday's fatal shooting of 18-year-old Andres Guardado by an Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy has led to calls for an independent investigation by his family, many in the community and two members of Congress.
Hundreds of people spent their Father's Day marching from the auto body shop where Guardado was shot and killed to the Compton Sheriff's station where that deputy who fired six rounds is based.
Reporter Josie Huang and photojournalist Brian Feinzimer covered the protest for LAist.
Here are some key images and moments from the day.
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Christopher Guardado addressed protesters in Spanish and English outside the auto body shop where his son was shot. It was Father's Day, and Andres had been dead for less than 72 hours.
"You know, I feel very very bad to talk. I don't feel very good you know," he said.
Christopher Guardado, father of #AndresGuardado, thanks protesters in Spanish and English. His son was killed less than 72 hours ago. “I’m feeling really bad to talk, you know?” pic.twitter.com/4BgelTgAGL
— Josie Huang (@josie_huang) June 21, 2020
The family asked for a peaceful march to the sheriff's station. There were bikers, Aztec dancers and lowriders.
Anthony Lee Pittman, an artist from Compton, marches down Compton Blvd. with an American flag he painted. (Brian Feinzimer for LAist)
(Brian Feinzimer for LAist)
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Hundreds of people spent their Father's Day marching from the auto body shop where 18-year-old Andres Guardado was shot and killed by a sheriff's deputy last week to the Compton Sheriff's station were that deputy is based. (Brian Feinzimer for LAist)
(Brian Feinzimer for LAist)
(Brian Feinzimer for LAist)
(Brian Feinzimer for LAist)
Once the marchers got to the Compton station, Guardado's father and cousin were among the speakers.
The cousin of Andres Guardado speaks to the crowd. (Brian Feinzimer for LAist)
Community members Guardado's cousin (Brian Feinzimer for LAist)
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Christopher Guardado, father of Andres Guardado speaks to the crowd at a protest at the Compton Civic Center. (Brian Feinzimer for LAist)
But tensions rose between deputies and protesters.
(Brian Feinzimer for LAist)
(Brian Feinzimer for LAist)
(Brian Feinzimer for LAist)
Protesters demanded to see footage of what happened to Guardado.
(Josie Huang / LAist)
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The Sheriff's Department has said that Guardado ran from two deputies and produced a firearm after they pulled up to the auto shop. His family says he was working as security.
Sheriff's officials have said there was nothing on the surveillance cameras they took. Sheriff Alex Villaneuva said he blamed L.A. County supervisors for not supporting his request for body cameras.
After facing down deputies for more than an hour, most protesters left. But then a confrontation erupted between deputies and a smaller group.
A small group of demonstrators seperated from the main group had an altercation with deputy's who fired what appears to be tear gas pic.twitter.com/7UipXR1P7Y
— Brian Feinzimer (@bfeinzimer) June 22, 2020
Deputies fired teargas and non-lethal projectiles at those protesters. Devin Sejas was shot in the temple and the abdomen -- he says -- after he tried to stand between deputies and another protester who had been shot.
Devis Sejas (Brian Feinzimer for LAist)
Sejas said he came to speak up for Guardado.
"A child got killed. He was a baby. My little brother just turned 19. My little sister turned 17. It could have been them."
Congresswomen Maxine Waters and Nanette Barragán are calling on California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to investigate Guardado's death.
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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.
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