Two young Black men were detained at gunpoint by Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies Friday in an incident that was witnessed and videotaped by numerous residents.
Santa Clarita Mayor Cameron Smyth issued a statement Monday afternoon saying a Sheriff’s Department investigation was underway and calling for one of the deputies involved to be removed from the field pending the investigation’s completion.
In a separate statement later Monday afternoon, L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva confirmed an internal investigation was in progress.
A video posted on Instagram by Tammi Collins on Saturday went viral over the weekend and Monday morning.
“How will I help my son recover from this,” Collins wrote in her post, which follows complete:
“I wanted to share what happened to my son yesterday in SCV when he was with a couple of friends sitting at a bus stop headed home. He was attacked by a gentleman (homeless guy) who approached them and first asked them if they had any crack then tried to take their things. The guy became so aggressive that he took his shirt off pulled out a knife and whip them tried to stabbed them. His friends only had their skate boards to cover them from the knife and whip so they held it out to keep distance from this guy. Several bystanders including the restaurant manager of Buffalo Wild wings called the police to get help for the boys but “One” caller called the police and reported two black guys are attacking a homeless guy. This is how the police responded. This is something my son and his friends will never forget. I’m still wonder how will I ever help my son recover from this traumatic experience. Please pray for my family. Please Share to protect our kids!!!”
Smyth Statement
“The City of Santa Clarita is aware of the incident which took place this past Friday involving Santa Clarita Sheriff’s deputies detaining two people at gunpoint, and we are very concerned,” said Santa Clarita Mayor Cameron Smyth.
“We have spoken to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and we are aware that a full investigation is underway regarding the level of response by the deputies.
“We have asked that the review be expedited and any necessary actions be taken. In addition, we have asked that the deputy be removed from the field pending the outcome of the investigation.”
Villanueva Statement
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva issued a statement on the incident Monday afternoon: “I have seen the recent video involving the Santa Clarita incident which has gone viral and I have concerns regarding the tactics employed. A call for service was received regarding a felony assault and the deputies detained those allegedly to be involved. The matter is currently being investigated.”
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9 Comments
The deputies responded to a call for a possible assault with a deadly weapon at the location. The person who had called said they witnessed two men in their 20s hit another man with a skateboard. When deputies arrived, they said they found two men who matched the descriptions and detained them. They received no other calls about a knife attack from a homeless man.
Regardless, if your a cop and get a call for assault with a deadly weapon, and you roll up on a scene with little additional information, would you just let everyone go about their business, or would you detain them until you could figure out what was going on? If these kids were white, it wouldn’t have been a story. That happens all the time and nobody says boo to the press.
I think the record of 911 calls should be checked. Apparently the call from the Wild Wings person was not relayed to the sheriffs dept. Unfortunately, this whole incident was treated as if these young men with skateboards were armed and dangerous. If using a skateboard as aa weapon requires rifles drawn by police, perhaps there needs to be a re-assessment of how to respond to a call like this.
Sounds like the officer was doing his job based on initial reporting. Two different versions called in. All the parent need to o is explain the situation and the boys should understand.
This is heartbreaking and yet, not surprising. Racism has been prominent in SCV for a long time. I was shocked to discover this when we moved here in 1989…..my “friends” in Valencia made fun of us for moving to “clan land” after we bought a house in Canyon Country.
Also, I am shocked each time Bob Keller uses racism in his speeches for reelection from his position of authority. It’s just sickening that no one is ever truly protected nor served by certain miss guided or ill thinking people with guns…..SMH
Cameron Smyth is NOT the story here and making the headline is just bad journalism.
Several bystanders including the restaurant manager of Buffalo Wild wings called the police to get help for the boys but “One” caller called the police and reported two black guys are attacking a homeless guy.
Always helps to read the article first brian.
It ain’t called Santa Clorox for nothing
I have lived under the protection of the LACSD for most of my life. They can be counted on to almost always overreact to any given situation.
it doesnt matter if the kids were black white mexican or if they were girls. the cops are going to respond to any call of an assault with skateboards by detaining the skateboard individual that should be common sense. was there excessive force used? did they have to get transported to the hospital? Because i have seen and experienced personally them using ridiculously excessive force that requires medical attention for far less an offensible situations many many times. and you will never hear about it or will anyone care. so unless those kids are in the hospital or their skin and eyes r still burning from pepper spray then id say u dealt with the deputies out here that simply do their job. and if that is the most traumatizing thing to happen to these kids thus far ur doing pretty good and should be extremely thankful.