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The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department released body camera and surveillance video Tuesday documenting a June 20 incident in a Lancaster parking lot that resulted in a deputy’s stabbing and the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Robert Castro. The footage captures the rapid escalation of events from the moment deputies arrived at the scene in response to reports of an armed man.
A 911 caller had reported Castro wielding multiple knives in public, noting that he appeared to be fighting with someone while carrying a large knife. The caller also expressed concern after observing Castro looking toward a woman walking toward a nearby bus stop, prompting the emergency response.
Surveillance video shows deputies arriving with emergency lights activated as Castro walked across the parking lot while still armed with knives. According to the sheriff’s department, Castro abruptly changed direction before the first deputy’s patrol vehicle had fully stopped, then rushed toward the arriving officer, pulled a knife, and stabbed him in the initial seconds of contact.
The wounded deputy drew his service weapon and fired at Castro. Body camera footage from a second deputy shows Castro on the ground as the first deputy discharged his weapon, with the second officer shouting commands at Castro to stop reaching before firing additional shots.
Deputies administered medical aid to Castro until Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel arrived and transported him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Investigators recovered three knives from Castro, including the one believed used in the stabbing.
The stabbed deputy was hospitalized for treatment of his injuries. No other deputies or civilians were harmed during the incident. The California Department of Justice is investigating the officer-involved shooting as required by state law, while the sheriff’s department cited transparency concerns in releasing the video before the investigation concluded.
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