Deputy Stabbed in Sudden Knife Attack

A sheriff’s deputy in Los Angeles County was stabbed during a quick and violent encounter, prompting fellow deputies to shoot at a suspect who was armed with multiple knives, authorities have reported.

The incident occurred on June 20 in a parking lot in Lancaster, following a concerning 911 call about a man seen with a knife in public.

According to audio from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the caller stated, “I just wanted to report a man with a knife brandishing it in a public place.”

When deputies arrived in three patrol cars, they spotted Robert Castro walking away across the lot.

Things escalated rapidly. Castro allegedly turned towards Deputy 1, lunged at him with a knife, and started the attack before the deputy’s car could come to a halt.

The sheriff’s office indicated, “Before Deputy 1’s patrol car came to a stop, Castro turned and quickly walked in the direction of the deputy. He then ran towards Deputy 1, pulled out a knife, and stabbed the deputy. Deputy 1 then discharged his service weapon.”

Body camera footage illustrates Castro pulling out a knife just moments before the stabbing.

During the altercation, the injured deputy managed to return fire, discharging his weapon at the assailant. After the shooting, he rushed to check on his injured colleague, who was suffering from a stab wound.

Despite being down, Castro was still reaching for a weapon, prompting another deputy to issue a command to stop. According to reports, “When Mr. Castro moves his hand, Deputy No. 2 orders him to stop reaching for his hand,” and then subsequently opened fire.

Castro was taken to a hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival. Meanwhile, the wounded deputy was also hospitalized for his injuries.

Authorities noted that Castro had three knives on him at the time of the confrontation.