Deputy David Powell

EOW 11/30/02

ARTESIA – A Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy wounded in a shooting in Artesia this morning died later at a Lynwood hospital, the sheriff's department reported. David Powell, 42, an 18-year veteran of the department, was pronounced dead at St. Francis Medical Center at 11:40 a.m., said Deputy David Cervantes.

An emotional Sheriff Lee Baca broke the news at an afternoon news conference at the hospital. As of 2:30 p.m., an intensive search continued for the shooter. The gunfire broke out before 11 a.m. near 167th Street and Elaine Avenue, said Cervantes. Powell, who was assigned to the Lakewood Station, and other deputies were investigating a report of shots fired at or near a residence. As Powell approached a home, he was shot in the right arm and the bullet traveled down the seam of his protective vest and entered his chest cavity, said Cervantes. He was rushed to the hospital but efforts to save his life were unsuccessful. Sheriff's deputies initially said that two suspects were involved in the shooting. Cervantes said later that authorities were looking for only one suspect. "Powell was the only one who saw the shooter, if he did in fact see the suspect," said Cervantes. A sheriff's Special Weapons Team and canine units were brought in to look for the gunman. Powell, who lived in Torrance, leaves behind a wife and four daughters.