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KCSO releases details of Mojave OIS from March 21

Kern County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) Patrol Car (FILE)
Posted at 4:50 PM, Apr 03, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-03 19:52:56-04

MOJAVE, Calif. — The Kern County Sheriff's Office has released details regarding a deadly officer-involved shooting that took place in Mojave on March 21.

According to KCSO, the Mojave Substation received reports of about a man trespassing and threatening customers at a Family Dollar store in the 2300 block of Highway 58 just after 11 a.m.

When deputies arrived, employees from the business said they did not want the man to return and provided deputies with a description. After deputies left the business, they located the man, later identified as 30-year-old Israel Lucas, matching the description in the area.

Deputies spoke with Lucas, who acknowledged being at the business and, according to KCSO, told deputies "he would continue to do what he wanted."

Lucas then walked back to the Family Dollar store and stood in the doorway. Deputies contacted an employee inside the business, who confirmed Lucas was the person who had been trespassing. The employee approached Lucas and advised him he was trespassing and needed to leave the property.

According to KCSO, Lucas refused to leave the private property. Deputies then advised Lucas he was trespassing, and he needed to leave.

KCSO said Lucas again refused and threatened violence against the deputies if they got any closer. Deputies informed Lucas he was under arrest and began attempting to place him into handcuffs. Lucas immediately began trying to break free of the deputy’s grasp, according to KCSO, and a deputy tried to pepper spray Lucas but said it didn't affect him.

Deputies said Lucas continued fighting, forcing them into a glass wall multiple times and punching each of them in the face at least once. During the struggle, Lucas gained control of one of the deputy’s batons, according to KCSO, and began chasing the deputy swinging the baton.

KCSO said Lucas struck the deputy at least once on the shoulder. That's when, according to KCSO, the other deputy fired a shot at Lucas, causing him to stop the attack.

Lucas fell to the ground and the involved deputies began rendering medical aid, according to KCSO. Deputies continued providing medical aid until ambulance personnel arrived and determined Lucas was deceased.

The area was then secured pending the completion of an investigation by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit.

The two deputies involved were placed on routine administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.