Morning Briefing: ‘Private’ Comments Have High-Ranking Sheriff’s Official Under Investigation
By Jessica P. Ogilvie
Published Jul 16, 2020 12:30 AM
A protest on July 11 at the Compton Civic Center regarding the fatal shooting of Andrés Guardado by a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy. (Brian Feinzimer for LAist)
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According to an autopsy released by the L.A. County coroner’s office, 18-year-old Andrés Guardado was killed by a Sheriff’s deputy who shot him five times in the back. L.A. Sheriff Alex Villanueva’s chief of staff, Capt. John Burcher, wrote on Facebook that Guardado, who deputies have alleged was armed, “chose his fate.”
That post was uncovered by our friends at ABC7 news, and was part of a string of comments that Burcher made in response to a news article on Guardado. Burcher also said, “Why so much coverage over Guardado?” and called another commenter an “idiot” and a “moron.”
As of now, Burcher’s social media posts are under an “administrative investigation” and he has been reassigned to the agency’s East Patrol Division. Speaking to ABC7, Villanueva said that Burcher “remains as captain,” and seemed to defend Burcher’s actions.
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(Courtesy of Michael Hayford)
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