Man fatally shot by L.A. County sheriff’s deputies after stabbing a deputy in Lancaster

A man stabbed a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, then was fatally shot by deputies Saturday afternoon in Lancaster, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies responded to a complaint about a person wielding several knives about 2 p.m. at Lancaster Boulevard and Sierra Highway in an unincorporated area of Lancaster.

The Sheriff’s Department said the man attacked one of the deputies with the knife, and the deputy opened fire. The department said that “moments later a second deputy involved shooting occurred,” but did not explain the circumstances surrounding the second shooting.

One of the deputies suffered a knife wound during the encounter and was taken to a hospital with noncritical injuries, according to the department.

After being struck by gunfire, the man was pronounced dead at a hospital.

The Sheriff’s Department did not make clear whether the deputy who was stabbed also shot the suspect. Neither the wounded deputy nor the dead suspect was publicly identified.

“We are grateful that our deputy sustained non-life-threatening injuries and will be returning home to their loved ones,” Sheriff Robert Luna said in a statement. “Incidents like this are a stark reminder that every day, law enforcement professionals like our Deputies step into unpredictable and rapidly evolving situations in service to protecting our communities.”

As is customary when deputies shoot a suspect, the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau and Internal Affairs Bureau have launched separate investigations.

The L.A. County district attorney’s office will determine whether criminal charges will be filed and whether the shooting was legally justified.