Deputies shoot, kill Calabasas man who threatened officers





A Calabasas man, Joe Pasko, was shot and killed by sheriff’s deputies last Wed., May 9, after he threatened to shoot the officers who feared for their lives, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.


Sheriff’s homicide detectives are still investigating the deputy-involved shooting that occurred around 11 p.m. in the 23700 block of Mulholland Highway. Detectives report that peace officers from Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station responded to that location after receiving a disturbance call that involved an intoxicated adult son (Pasko) and his mother. Deputies arrived at the location at about 10:30 p.m., but they found that Pasko was gone.


Officers left the location, only to get another call about 30 minutes later that he had returned. While en route to the location, the call was updated to indicate that Pasko, a white, 45-year-old male, was in a fight. Deputies responded with red lights and sirens.


Upon arrival, authorities could hear screaming from inside the mobile home. They entered the residence and heard Pasko yelling, "I’m going to kill you." They were then confronted by the suspect, who was holding what appeared to be a large caliber handgun, which he pointed at deputies. The officers then drew their duty weapons and ordered him to drop the gun, which he did not do.


He again yelled, "I’m going to kill you," while pointing the gun at the deputies. Fearing for their safety, the peace officers fired their guns, striking Pasko in the upper torso. He died at the scene. No one else was injured.


It was later determined that the gun that Pasko had pointed at the deputies was a stainless steel and black paintball gun.


––Sharon Makokian



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