The mood was sullen yet tense on Monday night at the entrance to a Westmont apartment building where 16-year-old Anthony Weber fell after he was shot and killed by L.A. County Sheriff's deputies.
Mourners set down candles and gathered to pay their respects at the spot where Weber died. Authorities killed the teenager on Sunday night after he was seen brandishing a weapon in the area and after a foot chase.
Although officials did not recover a weapon at the scene, on Monday sheriff’s officials said they “believe” that the weapon Weber was allegedly carrying was somehow stolen or picked up in a melee against deputies that occurred after the shooting.
Captain Chris Bergner, a spokesman for L.A. County Sheriff's Department, said at a press conference Monday afternoon: “Deputies saw a gun when the shooting occurred, and then with the 30 to 40 people that came out of the apartment complex, they were trying to maintain security of that, and they believe that at some point somebody may have reached in and taken the gun.”
Members of the community have disputed the Sheriff department’s claim that Weber was armed. They say he was seen shirtless at the time of the shooting; Bergner said paramedics cut off the teenager’s shirt as they were trying to save his life. The deputies’ shooting of Weber led to a prolonged and emotional confrontation outside the apartment building where he was shot.