ⓘThis article reports on a matter of public interest. Carrazco Law, A.P.C. is not representing any party involved in this incident unless expressly stated.
Lee Davidson Killed in Bellflower Deputy Shooting on Artesia Boulevard
Lee Davidson: Sheriff's deputies fired multiple rounds at Artesia Boulevard and Grand Avenue after an assault call
BELLFLOWER, CALIFORNIA (July 24, 2026): Lee Davidson, 33, died Friday night after Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies from the Lakewood Station shot him in the 10400 block of Artesia Boulevard at Grand Avenue, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. LASD said deputies responded at about 9:05 p.m. to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon involving a suspect armed with a firearm, and that when deputies contacted the suspect, a deputy-involved shooting occurred, NBC Los Angeles reported. The department said the man suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was taken to a hospital, where he died. No deputies were injured. LASD has not publicly described what happened in the moments before deputies fired.
ABC7 reported that aerial footage showed a handgun on the sidewalk along with evidence markers and shell casings. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identified the man as Lee Davidson, 33, according to MyNewsLA. NBC Los Angeles reported that the LASD Homicide Bureau, the LASD Internal Affairs Bureau and the Los Angeles County Office of Inspector General responded, and the District Attorney's Office reviews every deputy-involved shooting for possible criminal charges. LASD lists the incident on its deputy-involved shooting transparency page with a summary and video link. Whether deputies wore body cameras and what they recorded has not been reported. No family statement has been reported.
Liability for Los Angeles County Deputy Shootings
A report that someone is armed does not by itself justify deadly force. California Penal Code § 835a permits deadly force only when necessary to defend against an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury at that moment. The Fourth Amendment and Graham v. Connor (1989) 490 U.S. 386 apply the same objective reasonableness test. 42 U.S.C. § 1983 authorizes claims against the deputies and, under Monell v. Department of Social Services (1978) 436 U.S. 658, against the County of Los Angeles for a policy, custom or training failure. The Bane Act, California Civil Code § 52.1, adds a state law claim.
Where the gun was: whether Davidson was holding the handgun found on the sidewalk, reaching for it or had already dropped it when the shots were fired.
Multiple wounds: the number, location and direction of the wounds can reveal whether fire continued after any threat ended.
Commands and warnings: whether deputies identified themselves, gave a warning where feasible as § 835a expects, and allowed time to comply.
Video: whether deputies wore and activated body cameras, and what nearby businesses on Artesia Boulevard recorded, will be decisive.
If the evidence shows the shooting was not necessary, Davidson's heirs may bring excessive force, Bane Act and wrongful death claims. Damages cover the loss of his love, companionship and support, funeral costs and, through a survival claim, his pain before death, with punitive damages possible under § 1983.
Steps to Take After a Los Angeles County Deputy Shooting
According to the California Department of Justice's annual use-of-force reports, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the Los Angeles Police Department are consistently among the agencies that report the largest number of serious use-of-force incidents in the state.
Request the transparency page materials: save the summary and video LASD posted for this incident and ask for the unedited body camera files.
Canvass Artesia Boulevard: businesses near Grand Avenue may have security cameras that captured the encounter from an angle deputies did not control.
Obtain the autopsy: the Medical Examiner's report, and an independent autopsy if warranted, will document each wound and its trajectory.
Follow the Inspector General: the Los Angeles County Office of Inspector General monitors LASD shootings and reports publicly to the Civilian Oversight Commission.
Submit records requests: Penal Code § 832.7 and the California Public Records Act cover the incident report, radio traffic and the deputies' prior use-of-force records.
Civil rights and wrongful death claims in California generally must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Because the County of Los Angeles is a public entity, a government claim must be presented within six months under Government Code § 911.2. Contact an attorney promptly to protect your rights.
Investigating Los Angeles County Deputy Shootings
We at Carrazco Law, A.P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of Lee Davidson. Was Davidson holding or pointing the handgun found on the sidewalk when deputies fired, or had he already dropped it? How many rounds were fired, by how many deputies, and did the shooting continue after he was no longer a threat?
Do you have questions about a Los Angeles County deputy shooting? Our team is here for you. Call us anytime at (800) 541-3244. Se Habla Español. Free consultation.
Legal Context
Applicable California Law
California Penal Code § 835a: Deadly force permitted only when necessary to defend against an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury
Fourth Amendment: Objective reasonableness standard for use of force under Graham v. Connor (1989) 490 U.S. 386
42 U.S.C. § 1983: Federal civil rights claim against deputies and, under Monell v. Department of Social Services (1978) 436 U.S. 658, the County of Los Angeles
California Civil Code § 52.1 (Bane Act): State civil rights claim for interference with constitutional rights
California Public Records Act and Penal Code § 832.7: Access to body camera video, reports and deputies' use-of-force records
Liability Analysis
LASD says deputies responded to a report of an armed assault suspect and that a deputy-involved shooting occurred when they contacted him; aerial footage showed a handgun on the sidewalk, but the department has not described what Davidson was doing when deputies fired. Under Penal Code § 835a and Graham v. Connor, liability depends on whether he posed an imminent threat at the moment of each shot, whether he was holding or had dropped the weapon, and whether fire continued after any threat ended. If those facts favor the family, the deputies and the County of Los Angeles could face claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, the Bane Act and wrongful death law. The Homicide Bureau, Inspector General and District Attorney reviews are ongoing.
Statute of Limitations
Civil rights and wrongful death claims in California generally must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Because the County of Los Angeles is a public entity, a government claim under Government Code § 911.2 must be presented within six months of the shooting before state law claims can be filed.
If You've Been Affected by a Similar Incident
Carrazco Law represents individuals and families affected by police shootings and officer-involved incidents across California. These cases involve complex federal and state laws including 42 U.S.C. §1983 (federal civil rights claims), Bane Act claims under California Civil Code §52.1, and government tort claims with strict deadlines (often six months from the date of incident under the California Government Claims Act). If you or a loved one has been affected by a similar incident, contact our office for a free, confidential consultation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who investigates a deputy-involved shooting by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department?
The LASD Homicide Bureau conducts the criminal investigation, the LASD Internal Affairs Bureau reviews policy and tactics, and the Los Angeles County Office of Inspector General independently monitors the case and reports to the Civilian Oversight Commission. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office then reviews the evidence to decide whether any deputy should face criminal charges. Because the agency investigates itself at the first stage, families often retain counsel to conduct an independent investigation.
A handgun was found on the sidewalk. Does that end the family's civil rights case?
No. Under California Penal Code § 835a, deadly force is lawful only when necessary to stop an imminent threat at the moment the shots are fired. A weapon on the ground raises questions rather than answering them: was Davidson holding it, reaching for it, or had he dropped it? Body camera video, the autopsy showing wound trajectories, shell casing locations and witness accounts determine whether each round was justified.
How can the family get the body camera video from the Sheriff's Department?
Penal Code § 832.7 makes records of shootings by peace officers public, including body camera footage, and the California Public Records Act requires LASD to release them, subject to limited delays while the investigation is active. LASD also posts a summary and video for each deputy-involved shooting on its transparency page. An attorney can send a preservation demand immediately and obtain the unedited files through litigation if the department delays.
What is the deadline to file a claim against Los Angeles County for a deputy shooting?
A government claim must be presented to the County of Los Angeles within six months of the shooting under Government Code § 911.2 before any state law wrongful death or Bane Act lawsuit can be filed. Federal claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 do not require a government claim but must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Missing the six month deadline can forfeit the state law claims entirely.
What compensation can Lee Davidson's family recover if the shooting was unlawful?
In a wrongful death claim, heirs recover for the loss of his love, companionship, guidance and financial support, plus funeral and burial expenses. A survival claim brought by his estate recovers for the pain and suffering he consciously experienced from the shooting until his death at the hospital. Federal civil rights law adds punitive damages against individual deputies and attorney's fees; the county itself cannot be ordered to pay punitive damages.
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This article is published by Carrazco Law News for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading or sharing this content does not create an attorney-client relationship with Carrazco Law, A.P.C. Carrazco Law is not representing any party involved in the incident described above. If you have been affected by a similar incident, consult a licensed California attorney about your specific situation.
The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship with Carrazco Law, A.P.C. If you have been injured or have lost a loved one, please contact our office directly for a confidential consultation.
