Suspect fatally shot by deputy in Valinda identified

VALINDA >> Coroner’s officials have identified a 25-year-old Baldwin Park man who was fatally shot by a deputy Friday after he allegedly broke into a family’s home while fleeing deputies, then reached for a deputy’s gun, officials said.
Johnny Angel Rangel died in the 1:18 a.m. deputy-involved shooting at a home in the 800 block of Ashcomb Drive, in the unincorporated county area of Valinda, Lt. David Smith of the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner said.
Rangel’s city of residence was not listed in coroner’s records, however police described him as a Baldwin Park resident when he was arrested in West Covina last year.
Deputies patrolling spotted Rangel at Azusa Avenue and Amar Road early Friday morning and thought him to be suspicious, Detective Louie Aguilera of the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau said. When they approached him, he ran.
Rangel broke into a nearby home on Ashcomb Drive, Aguilera said. A family comprised of two men and two women was sleeping inside.
Deputies evacuated the residents, but Rangel refused to exit the home, officials said.
“Deputies made entry into the home and gave verbal commands to the suspect to comply and cooperate,” Deputy Juanita Navarro-Suarez of the Sheriff’s Information Bureau said in a written statement.
“During this time, the suspect grabbed for a deputy’s firearm and a deputy-involved shooting occurred.”
Rangel was struck once in the upper torso and died at the scene, officials said.
“A knife, believed to belong to the suspect, was recovered at the scene,” Navarro-Suarez said. No deputies were hurt, nor were any of the residents of the home.
Resident Carlos Flores said he did not recognize the intruder, later identified as Rangel.
Rangel was released from county jail in December after serving about six months in jail after being arrested in June of last year on suspicion of fighting with police in West Covina while high on methamphetamine, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court and booking records.
In that incident, officers subdued Rangel with a Taser, West Covina police Lt. Dave Lee said at the time.
Two officers suffered minor injuries in the scuffle, which occurred after officers responded to reports that an intoxicated Rangel was causing a disturbance.
After being hospitalized for a suspected meth overdose, Rangel was ultimately convicted of threatening police in December of 2014 and released from custody on “time served,” according to officials and records. Charges of battery against a peace officer and resisting police were dismissed.
Rangel’s criminal history also includes a conviction for possession of an assault weapon in 2011 and violating a gang injunction in 2012.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

2 thoughts on “Suspect fatally shot by deputy in Valinda identified

  1. He was more than just a gang member he was a Father a son a brother a friend and someone who will forever be missed

  2. Thank god hes off the street feel bad for families but he didnt sound like any good use to his own life!just saying so calm down who ever dont like it.

Comments are closed.