Robbery Suspect Shot by Deputy Identified
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A robbery suspect shot to death by a sheriff’s deputy was identified by Los Angeles coroner’s officials Monday as Lawrence Albert Acosta, 26, of Pacoima.
Acosta and another man allegedly tried to hold up an off-duty deputy taking a walk about 3:30 a.m. Sunday on Sherman Way in North Hollywood, police said. The deputy drew his gun and killed Acosta.
The other suspect, identified as Cesar Ceballos, 21, of North Hollywood fired a pistol as he fled, but was caught as he tried to blend in with a crowd of young people who mobbed the crime scene, police said.
Ceballos was arrested on suspicion of murder based on the state felony-murder law, which states that anyone involved in a felony may be charged with murder if it causes a killing, even the killing of an accomplice by a law enforcement officer.
Police said Ceballos and Acosta were suspected gang members, and would not release the deputy’s name for fear of retaliation.
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