In another turn of events over the murder of 18-year-old Andres Guardado, a LASD whistleblower might have opened a can of worms.
LASD whistleblower Austreberto “Art” Gonzalez’s alleged reveal brings to the attention of the violent clique ‘Executioners’- a group of deputies based at Compton Sheriff’s station. As revealed by the whistleblower, the deputy who shot Andreas Guardado was a potential member of the violent group. However, some officials deny or claim to be false against the allegations.
About ‘Executioners’ As Revealed By The Whistleblower
The violent clique comprises deputies at the Compton Sheriff’s station. In order to become a member of the group, one should resort to violence, as testified by the whistleblower.
As per the report by Gonzalez, some deputies belonging to the Executioners sports Nazi imagery tattoos and AK-47s. Reportedly, members become a part of the clique by committing violent acts such as executing members of the public.
The testimony of Gonzalez obtained through Spectrum News 1 also discloses information about the violent clique. It reveals deputies attempting to impress Executioners, which is infamously called ‘chasing ink.’
It also revealed that deputies throw ‘998 parties’, which is a code for ‘officer-involved shooting.’ In law enforcement, it’s a situation where a deputy or an officer shoots somebody.
The LASD whistleblower further discloses that it was an act to welcome a new member or celebrate someone getting ‘inked.’ Several claims have been made regarding the gang.
What Happened On June 18, 2020 And The Aftermath Situation
Deputy Miguel Vega, on June 18, 2020, shot and killed Andres Guardado in Gardena in an alleyway. As per the autopsy, the teenager was shot five times in the back by the sheriff’s deputy.
Guardado’s death is quite a complex situation. As per reports, he was an unofficial security guard at an auto body shop. The deputies spotted the teenager having a chat with someone in a car. As per claims by the deputies, Guardado saw them, showed a gun, and fled.
The deputies chased after the teenager, and on reaching a nearby alley, Deputy Miguel Vega shot Guardado. Officials reveal that they have found a ‘ghost gun’ from the scene without a serial number.
Gonzalez, under oath, reveals that deputies involved in the shooting were prospects when asked if they were ‘inked members.’ However, Vega’s lawyer denies the report, saying it’s false.
The situation would have been less complex if the deputies had worn body cams, but those rolled out were only from October 1. Also, the video footage from across the streets fails to show the shooting.
Amid the violent incident, there is also a report about these deputy gangs, which have cost millions in lawsuits to LA County. It is not the first time related to violence by deputies. In 2018, The Banditos, an East LA group, got into a brawl with fellow members at a party. It led to the disciplining of twenty-six employees in connection with the episode.
