By: Emilie St. John
PALMDALE, Calif. – A 34-year-old man who was fatally shot by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies in Palmdale has been identified, authorities said Wednesday.
Everett Byram was identified as the man by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office.
Byram is the sixth person Sheriff deputies have killed this year.
Sheriff Robert Luna met with a select group of Black leaders on Feb. 3 but failed to discuss the department’s killing of five men the prior month. His visit with the leaders followed an interview the day before with radio host Tavis Smiley where he said his top priorities are “restoring public trust and the jails”.
Both of these talented and experienced law enforcement leaders share my vision of a sheriff’s department and I am confident that in working together we will have the type of transparent department that I promised during my campaign,” noted Luna.
Luna has not publicly condemned his officer’s actions.
On Jan. 26, a lawsuit was filed against Los Angeles County by a deputy alleging a new deputy gang was forming in the East LA station. Luna made no mention of it during the Tavis Smiley interview or with the Black leaders.
That is not transparency.
Deputies from the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station were called at 10:21 p.m. on Feb. 10 to the 37000 block of Oxford Drive regarding a domestic violence call, said Lt. Patricia Thomas.
During their investigation of the incident, Byram moved toward them with an edged weapon and was shot by deputies.
Luna has not explained how “moving towards” a deputy with a weapon is grounds for deadly force.
Byram was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The weapon was recovered at the scene, authorities said.
City News Service contributed to this report.
