Antoine Dominique Hunter, a 24-year-old man from Compton, California, was fatally shot by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies on June 24, 2014. The incident occurred near North Poinsettia Avenue and East Palmer Street around 9:51 p.m. Deputies attempted to stop Hunter's vehicle, a gold sedan, after observing it being driven recklessly. Hunter, along with a 24-year-old friend, had just left a vigil for a friend who had died of a pulmonary disease.
The situation escalated into a brief pursuit, ending when Hunter's car collided with another vehicle while attempting to turn onto North Poinsettia Avenue.
Upon stopping, deputies exited their patrol car and began issuing commands. According to Lt. Eddie Hernandez of the Sheriff's Department, Hunter's car then backed up, trapping one deputy between the gold sedan and the patrol car. This deputy opened fire, believing Hunter was reaching for his waistband. Simultaneously, another deputy, positioned outside the passenger side of the sedan, also fired after hearing screeching tires and a revving engine, and seeing the driver and passenger reaching for their waistbands and the center console, respectively. Deputies fired a total of 19 rounds, resulting in Hunter's death at the scene. A loaded revolver was found under Hunter's left arm, near his waistband, but it was never fired. The passenger, who was unarmed, was taken to a hospital and expected to survive.
Hunter's mother, Martha Willis, described the shooting as unjustified and senseless, asserting that her son was trying to turn his life around after spending seven years in prison for a burglary committed at age 15. He was playing football for a local community college and had been making positive changes in his life. The Sheriff's Department launched an investigation into the shooting, seeking eyewitnesses and video surveillance from the area. The deputies involved were identified as veterans with 9 and 14 years of service, respectively.
The incident sparked demands for justice from Hunter's family and community members, who gathered at the scene to protest. They left flowers, candles, and other items at the site of the crash and shooting. Hunter's mother expressed a desire for the truth, stating that if her son was at fault, she would accept it, but if the deputies were wrong, they would have to live with the consequences. The investigation into the shooting continued, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward.
