Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
A 17-year-old girl has died after she grabbed a deputy’s gun at a Los Angeles sheriff’s station over the weekend and shot herself, authorities said.
The teen was knocking on the front door of the station in City of Industry around 7:40 p.m. and when deputies answered the door, she “lunged into the lobby and reached for the deputy’s holstered firearm and took possession of it,” the LA County Sheriff’s Department said.
The girl began to cause a commotion, making noise and banging on glass inside the station, according to the Los Angeles Times.
“A struggle ensued between the deputies and juvenile who was armed with the deputy’s firearm,” officials said. “During the struggle, the juvenile suffered from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.”
She did not have a weapon before entering the building, officials said.
Authorities told the newspaper the incident may have stemmed from a family disturbance nearby.
No deputies were injured, and it was not immediately clear if anyone else was in the lobby at the time.
The girl’s name has not been released by authorities, but she is believed to be 17 years old, news station ABC7 reported.
The incident is under investigation.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
