California Department of Justice investigating after police officer opens fire, kills pedestrian on Interstate 105

Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images/FILE

California Attorney General Rob Bonta speaks during a press conference on October 7, 2022.

CNN

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The California Department of Justice has opened an investigation after a state trooper opened fire and killed a pedestrian in the middle of a Southern California highway, the department announced Monday.

A video posted online Sunday appears to show a California Highway Patrol officer shooting a person multiple times after a fight in the middle of Interstate 105 in southern Los Angeles County.

CNN has contacted the California DOJ to confirm whether it is aware of the bystander video.

A California Highway Patrol unit responded to a call around 3:15 p.m. local time Sunday regarding a person walking in traffic lanes along the westbound lanes of the highway, the agency said in a statement Press. When the unit made contact with the pedestrian, “a struggle ensued and an officer involved shooting occurred,” according to the press release.

It’s unclear what exactly led to the altercation. The department declined to provide additional details, including the pedestrian’s name, and referred all inquiries to the California Department of Justice.

The video of the incident begins by showing the officer on top of the pedestrian in the middle of the highway. The officer then draws his gun and a bullet quickly appears to strike the sidewalk next to the person. The footage shows the officer standing up and backing away while firing several more rounds at the person, who was still on the ground.

Under California law, state prosecutors are required to investigate all police shootings resulting in the death of an unarmed civilian.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed to CNN that the individual had died, but the office was unable to identify the victim as the case is still pending notification of next of kin .

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