Lee Davidson: Sheriff’s deputies fired multiple rounds at Artesia Boulevard and Grand Avenue after an assault call
BELLFLOWER, CALIFORNIA (July 24, 2026): Lee Davidson, 33, died Friday night after Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies from the Lakewood Station shot him in the 10400 block of Artesia Boulevard at Grand Avenue, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. LASD said deputies responded at about 9:05 p.m. to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon involving a suspect armed with a firearm, and that when deputies contacted the suspect, a deputy-involved shooting occurred, NBC Los Angeles reported. The department said the man suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was taken to a hospital, where he died. No deputies were injured. LASD has not publicly described what happened in the moments before deputies fired.
ABC7 reported that aerial footage showed a handgun on the sidewalk along with evidence markers and shell casings. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identified the man as Lee Davidson, 33, according to MyNewsLA. NBC Los Angeles reported that the LASD Homicide Bureau, the LASD Internal Affairs Bureau and the Los Angeles County Office of Inspector General responded, and the District Attorney’s Office reviews every deputy-involved shooting for possible criminal charges. LASD lists the incident on its deputy-involved shooting transparency page with a summary and video link. Whether deputies wore body cameras and what they recorded has not been reported. No family statement has been reported.
Liability for Los Angeles County Deputy Shootings
A report that someone is armed does not by itself justify deadly force. California Penal Code § 835a permits deadly force only when necessary to defend against an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury at that moment. The Fourth Amendment and Graham v. Connor (1989) 490 U.S. 386 apply the same objective reasonableness test. 42 U.S.C. § 1983 authorizes claims against the deputies and, under Monell v. Department of Social Services (1978) 436 U.S. 658, against the County of Los Angeles for a policy, custom or training failure. The Bane Act, California Civil Code § 52.1, adds a state law claim.
- Where the gun was: whether Davidson was holding the handgun found on the sidewalk, reaching for it or had already dropped it when the shots were fired.
- Multiple wounds: the number, location and direction of the wounds can reveal whether fire continued after any threat ended.
- Commands and warnings: whether deputies identified themselves, gave a warning where feasible as § 835a expects, and allowed time to comply.
- Video: whether deputies wore and activated body cameras, and what nearby businesses on Artesia Boulevard recorded, will be decisive.
If the evidence shows the shooting was not necessary, Davidson’s heirs may bring excessive force, Bane Act and wrongful death claims. Damages cover the loss of his love, companionship and support, funeral costs and, through a survival claim, his pain before death, with punitive damages possible under § 1983.
Steps to Take After a Los Angeles County Deputy Shooting
According to the California Department of Justice’s annual use-of-force reports, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles Police Department are consistently among the agencies that report the largest number of serious use-of-force incidents in the state.
- Request the transparency page materials: save the summary and video LASD posted for this incident and ask for the unedited body camera files.
- Canvass Artesia Boulevard: businesses near Grand Avenue may have security cameras that captured the encounter from an angle deputies did not control.
- Obtain the autopsy: the Medical Examiner’s report, and an independent autopsy if warranted, will document each wound and its trajectory.
- Follow the Inspector General: the Los Angeles County Office of Inspector General monitors LASD shootings and reports publicly to the Civilian Oversight Commission.
- Submit records requests: Penal Code § 832.7 and the California Public Records Act cover the incident report, radio traffic and the deputies’ prior use-of-force records.
Civil rights and wrongful death claims in California generally must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Because the County of Los Angeles is a public entity, a government claim must be presented within six months under Government Code § 911.2. Contact an attorney promptly to protect your rights.
Investigating Los Angeles County Deputy Shootings
We at Carrazco Law, A.P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of Lee Davidson. Was Davidson holding or pointing the handgun found on the sidewalk when deputies fired, or had he already dropped it? How many rounds were fired, by how many deputies, and did the shooting continue after he was no longer a threat?
If you or a loved one has been affected by a police or deputy shooting anywhere in California, our civil rights attorneys can help you understand your rights and legal options. Call us anytime at (800) 541-3244. Se Habla Español. Free consultation.
Published on September 16, 2026 by M.M., Carrazco Law, A.P.C. The incident described in this article occurred on July 24, 2026.
