Authorities have launched an investigation into a recent police shooting in which a sheriff’s deputy mistook a West Hollywood liquor store manager for a robber.

The liquor store, located near Havenhurst Drive and Santa Monica Boulevard, was robbed around 2 a.m. Sunday, according to Deputy Lillian Peck of the Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau.

At the time, the description of the suspects was very limited. Officers knew only that the robbers were black: one male armed with a handgun, and one female.

The two deputies first on the scene parked their vehicle around the corner from the liquor store, according to reports.

According to Capt. Mike Parker, the store manager came running toward the deputies, pointing in the direction he said the suspects had run, and shouting.

One of the deputies thought the manager was pointing a gun, and when the manager did not adhere to police commands, the deputy fired eight rounds in the manager’s direction. 

All eight rounds missed, and the manager was unharmed, though shaken. He was briefly detained and it was quickly determined that he was, in fact, the victim. 

The deputy who fired was a trainee, accompanied by his training officer, said Michael Gennaco, head of the Office of Independent Review.

According to Gennaco, the manager may have been holding keys and also had a thick African accent which caused a possible language barrier.

Investigators say these factors, along with the deputy’s lack of experience in the field, will be taken into consideration.

Both suspects were last seen running southbound on Havenhurst Drive, said Peck. 

Deputies urged anyone with information regarding the robbery or suspects to contact the West Hollywood sheriff’s station at (310) 855-8850.

Reach reporter Shakira Keller here.

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