LA Sheriff’s Chief Of Staff Reassigned After Posting That Andrés Guardado 'Chose His Fate'

L.A. Sheriff Alex Villanueva’s chief of staff will be removed from his position and reassigned to the agency’s East Patrol Division after he wrote on Facebook that a young man killed by a Sheriff’s deputy "chose his fate."

The department has also initiated an administrative investigation into Capt. John Burcher’s social media posts, Deputy Trina Schrader told us.

Burcher came under scrutiny when ABC7 uncovered posts on his personal Facebook page about Andrés Guardado, the 18-year-old security guard who was shot five times in the back last month.

Among the posts and comments highlighted by ABC7:

• Burcher asked, "Why so much coverage over Guardado?"
• Burcher argued Guardado "CHOSE his destiny," and the media should pay attention to the cases of two teenage girls who were murdered.
• Burcher also argued with commenters on his Facebook page, calling one an "idiot" and saying to another, "sorry, your life does not matter more than mine does, you racist (expletive.) STFU."

Inspector General Max Huntsman told ABC7 that Burcher’s comments give "reasonable observers cause to believe" the investigation into the Guardado shooting "has been prejudged."
Burcher’s actions "are inexcusable and further confirm why an independent investigation [into Guardado’s killing] is necessary," said Adam Shea, an attorney for Guardado’s family, in a statement.

MORE ON GUARDADO'S CASE:

• LA Coroner Overrides Sheriff, Releases Autopsy Confirming Andres Guardado Was Killed By 5 Shots In The Back

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