“Los Angeles Woman Armed with Kitchen Knife Shot and Killed by Deputy: Bodycam Footage Released”

Accident – death – Obituary News : Newly Released Bodycam Footage Reveals Fatal Shooting of Woman by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy

In a recent development, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has made public the bodycam footage depicting the moment a woman armed with a kitchen knife was shot and killed by one of their deputies. The incident occurred on December 4, 2023, when deputies responded to a domestic violence call at an apartment building in Lancaster.

The video includes the audio recording of the initial call made by Niani Finlayson, 27, to the police. In the call, Finlayson can be heard urgently requesting assistance for a man who refused to leave her house. She expressed her distress, stating, “This man, he won’t get out of my house now…and I already told him to get out of my house.” She continued to plead, “I need the police here right now because he won’t get his hands off me.”

Upon arriving at the scene, three deputies heard the sound of a heated argument emanating from behind the locked front door. As they attempted to gain entry, Finlayson opened the door while brandishing a kitchen knife and threatening to stab her boyfriend. The situation escalated when Finlayson retreated into the living room, where her boyfriend was seated. She was seen gripping him with one hand while holding the knife menacingly in the other.

In response to the imminent danger, Deputy Ty Shelton, the officer involved in the shooting, switched to his service weapon and discharged four rounds. Finlayson collapsed to the floor, dropping the knife. The deputies immediately provided first aid until paramedics arrived and transported her to a nearby hospital, where she was tragically pronounced dead. The kitchen knife she had been wielding was collected as evidence.

It is worth noting that Finlayson’s boyfriend allegedly resisted arrest following the shooting. He was subsequently taken into custody on charges of child abuse and assault on a peace officer. However, he was released pending further investigation.

As the investigation unfolds, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has initiated an independent review of the deputy-involved shooting. The process involves a comprehensive chain of review, starting with the conclusion of the LASD investigation. The findings will then be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Justice System Integrity Division, which will determine whether the force used by the deputy was within the boundaries of the law.

Following the District Attorney’s review, the LASD’s Internal Affairs Bureau will conduct an administrative investigation of the incident. Once completed, the case will be handed over to the LASD’s Executive Force Review Committee, responsible for evaluating the performance of the deputies involved and determining whether their tactics and use of deadly force adhered to department policy.

In response to the tragic incident, Finlayson’s family has filed a $30 million wrongful death lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The department has released a statement expressing their commitment to a thorough review process, assuring the public that every aspect of the shooting will be examined for adherence to policies and procedures. They emphasize their dedication to protecting diverse communities without any bias or prejudice.

The newly released bodycam footage sheds light on the events leading to the fatal shooting of Niani Finlayson. As the investigation continues, the community eagerly awaits the outcome of the reviews by both the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and the LASD’s Internal Affairs Bureau..