Santa Clarita, California (LASD) — On Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at approximately 10:58 PM, Santa Clarita Station deputies responded to a shopping center located in the 24200 block of Valencia Boulevard, in Santa Clarita, regarding a call of a male who was trespassing. Additional information indicated the male was sleeping in front of the business and refused to leave. The male was later identified as 50-year-old Christopher Lee Mercurio. Upon arrival, a deputy contacted Mercurio in front of the business and asked him to leave the area. Mercurio refused and threatened to kill her. Mercurio advanced toward the deputy and punched her in the face and head. The deputy used self-defense techniques and created distance between her and Mercurio; however, he continued to advance toward her, and a deputy-involved shooting occurred. Mercurio was struck by gunfire and fell to the ground.
Assisting deputies arrived and immediately rendered medical aid to Mercurio. Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics responded and transported Mercurio to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The deputy was also transported to a local hospital, where she was treated for injuries sustained during the assault. She was later released. No other persons were injured during this incident. This incident was deemed a qualifying event under Assembly Bill 1506 guidelines. Members of the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, were notified of the incident and investigators responded to the scene. Members of DOJ were briefed by LASD homicide investigators and assumed control of the crime scene and investigation. The employee involved in the deputy-involved shooting has been identified as Deputy Lorena Gonzalez.
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