The Sheriff’s department has identified the suspect who shot and killed Sergeant Dominic Vaca during a pursuit Monday afternoon. According to Sheriff’s press releases, Deputies observed a male subject, later identified as Bilal Winston Shabazz, 29 of Lancaster, near Paxton Road and Imperial riding on a street-legal motorcycle with no license plate. Shabazz failed to yield to a traffic stop and a pursuit ensued. Shabazz abandoned the motorcycle during the pursuit and fled on foot through nearby residential properties. Shabazz refused to stop as Deputies pursued him. Shabazz shot at Sergeant Dominic Vaca as he attempted to detain Shabazz. Sergeant Vaca was airlifted to a local hospital for treatment. Despite life-saving measures, Sergeant Vaca succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
Shabazz continued to flee after shooting Sergeant Vaca, firing at other responding deputies. Deputies returned fire, and Shabazz was struck. Despite life-saving measures, Shabazz was pronounced deceased at the scene. A loaded handgun was located next to Shabazz and two additional magazines containing ammunition were found on his person. Detectives from the Specialized Investigations Division, Homicide Detail later determined that Shabazz had a no-bail warrant out of Los Angeles County. The investigation is still ongoing and no additional information is available for release at this time.
