Frank Dario Lopez, described as a 48-year-old Latino, was shot and killed by a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy on December 10, 2017, in the 11900 block of Droxford Street in Artesia, California. Deputies had been called shortly after 9 p.m. about a man in an SUV looking into parked vehicles and driving erratically. The man parked in a vacant lot and walked into the neighborhood, and a deputy later found Lopez hiding behind trash cans between two houses.

According to reports, Lopez became uncooperative and physically attacked the first deputy. The deputy called for assistance and tried to use a taser without success. Two other deputies arrived and witnesses say Lopez attempted to stab the first deputy with a knife and then lashed out at the arriving deputies, causing minor cuts to one deputy; the first deputy sustained stab wounds to the hands and then shot Lopez. Lopez was pronounced dead at 10:13 p.m. with gunshot wounds to the chest. An open pocket knife was found at the scene and investigators awaited toxicology results; records showed conflicting birthdates and last cities of residence.

No arrests were made; the shooting was investigated as a deputy-involved shooting and the department conducted an internal review. If anyone saw activity in the neighborhood that night or has information about Lopez’s movements before the confrontation, please share what is known.