CHARGED

Los Angeles Deputy Charged in Shooting of Unarmed Civilian

For the first time in nearly 20 years.

For the first time in almost two decades, an on-duty Los Angeles County law enforcement officer has been charged in the killing an unarmed man. Luke Lui, 40—who allegedly fatally shot motorist Francisco Garcia at a Norwalk, California, gas station in 2016—was charged Tuesday with voluntary manslaughter, officials announced. Prosecutors said that Lui pulled over Garcia on Feb. 24, 2016, believing his car may have been stolen. At one point, Garcia began to slowly drive away. “Liu then allegedly drew his service weapon, ran alongside the car and fired seven shots at Garcia, who was struck four times and killed,” a statement from the District Attorney’s Office said. The deputy, who was placed on administrative leave on Monday, turned himself in at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles. He pleaded not guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter and a special allegation that he intentionally discharged his firearm. His bail was set at $1.1 million.