Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department deputy Angel Reinosa, who called in a sniper shooting on Wednesday claiming he was shot twice in the shoulder, has admitted to fabricating the entire story, according to ABC News.
Late Saturday, August 24, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department held a press conference to announce that Reinosa made up the incident.
“There was no sniper, no shots fired and no gunshot injury sustained to his shoulder. Completely fabricated,” said Capt. Kent Wegener. “Most of his statement was self-serving, didn’t make a whole lot of sense, but he didn’t get into detail as to why he cut the holes or why he fabricated this story. No motivation.”
Reinosa is expected to be relieved of his duties while facing a charge for filing a false report of an emergency. The deputy could also face further criminal charges, which is being determined by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
When the incident occurred, the 21-year-old Reinosa called in an emergency saying he was hit.
“I have taken shots from the north of the Lancaster helipad,” Reinosa is heard saying on the radio call. “I think I’m hit in the right shoulder.”
The call from Reinosa sparked a manhunt for an alleged shooter and caused lockdowns and evacuations throughout the surrounding area. However, there were no visible injuries on Reinosa’s shoulders.
Reinosa then admitted to cutting two holes in his shirt with a knife and that he was never shot.
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