Transcript
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials say a deputy’s story about coming under sniper fire was a lie.
The hoax, which authorities say was perpetrated by twenty-one-year-old deputy Angel Reinosa, appeared very real when he called it an attack in progress last week.
Reinosa said he came under fire as he walked to his personal vehicle outside the Sheriff’s station Wednesday.
He could be heard on police radio saying “I think I’m hit in the right shoulder!”
The false report sparked a very real response from authorities and Reinosa’s fellow officers, including home searches, a school going on lockdown and a full on manhunt for shooter that didn’t exist.
After the deputies hoax was exposed, officials gave a full account of what really happened.
Investigators say Reinosa admitted that he was not shot at and that he caused the holes in his uniform shirt by cutting it with a knife.
The only answer investigators don’t have is why Reinosa fabricated the story.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva released a statement saying he’s “embarrassed and incredibly disappointed by the deputy’s actions.”
A criminal investigation into the incident is also underway and the deputy could face charges.
The Closed Caption version of this video can be found here: https://sign1news.com/2019/08/26/sign1news-8-26-19/
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