One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Veteran Sheriff's Deputy Charged In Neighbor's Murder
Photo by Kuzma via Shutterstock
A 17-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has pleaded not guilty to charges he murdered his neighbor and shot at another man.
41-year-old Francisco Gamez, who was arrested in November following several months of investigation is accused of killing Armando Casillas and shooting at a second victim while off-duty last June.
The incident involved Gamez allegedly confronting Casillas and another man after Casillas fought with Gamez's 20-year-old son. Casillas died at the hospital, while the second victim was not injured.
Today, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Shelly Torrealba Gamez to remain jailed on $4 million bail while he awaits his next court appearance, which has been set for March 7, according to City News Service.
Gamez had most recently been stationed in West Hollywood, but was relieved of his duties in early July when an investigation into his alleged role in the shooting death of Casillas was launched.
If convicted, Gamez could face up to 75 years to life in state prison, according to the District Attorney's Office.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
