Teenager shot dead by deputies during alleged armed robbery in West Hills

A fatal deputy-involved shooting in West Hills, California, has left an 18-year-old man dead and his family searching for answers.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed that the incident occurred at approximately 8:40pm on Thursday, in a shopping plaza on Fallbrook Avenue.

According to a press release issued on Saturday, detectives from the Major Crimes Bureau allegedly witnessed an armed robbery in progress.

The agency stated that while attempting “to prevent the robbery from occurring by detaining the male and to protect the female victim from harm, a deputy-involved shooting occurred.”

Despite receiving medical aid, the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:48pm. A loaded semi-automatic handgun was reportedly recovered nearby.

While authorities have not officially named the deceased, a woman told KTLA he was her 18-year-old grandson.

His heartbroken mother expressed total disbelief at the allegations, stating: “This does not sound like my son at all. This is not something my son would do at all.

"He comes from a good family. He graduated high school last year. I’m heartbroken. I’m in shock. I don’t know how to process this all.”

Investigators confirmed that a female accomplice fled the scene in a vehicle but was later detained in Agoura Hills.

Police are now investigating whether this incident is connected to two other recent armed robberies and an assault in the area.

The family remains devastated, with the grandmother telling reporters, “I just can’t believe it.”