Shooting details still not certain
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's homicide division is continuing its investigation into whether the California State Parks ranger who shot and killed a Los Angeles man at Tapia Park near Calabasas was justified in his actions.

According to Capt. Ed Winter of the Los Angeles County Dept. of the Coroner, Onesimo Arturo Guzman died from a single gunshot wound to his head. An autopsy on the 29-year-old victim was completed on Tuesday.

Ron Schafer, superintendent for the Angeles District of California State Parks, said concerned visitors came to the nearby Malibu Creek State Park entrance station to report what sounded like gunshots in the vicinity.

The ranger, whose name has not been released by the sheriff's department, traveled on foot to the park and attempted to stop a vehicle containing Guzman and three others, Schafer said.

"The driver of the vehicle failed to yield to commands," Schafer said. "The man continued to drive towards him in a manner that made the officer fear for his personal safety."

Once Guzman was shot, his friends jumped out of the car and fled the scene, Schafer said. They were eventually apprehended, questioned and released.

Earlier reports stated Guzman had bumped one of the ranger's legs with his car.

In addition to the sheriff's homicide investigation, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office is also investigating Guzman's death. Schafer said the Parks Department is conducting an independent investigation to determine whether the shooting followed department policy. The ranger under investigation has worked for California State Parks for about four years, Schafer said.

Court records reportedly showed a person by the name of Guzman earlier had been convicted of assaulting a peace officer, resisting arrest and stealing a vehicle. At a news conference last Sunday Guzman's family said he had recently completed a fiveyear prison term and was working with his father at a welding shop in Long Beach. It was also reported that Guzman attended Long Beach Community College and hoped to train as an electrician.Guzman's siblings asked officials many questions at the press conference, including whether their brother had received quick medical attention, and whether there were specific procedures to inform families about a shooting.

Guzman and his friends were said to be unarmed.