An independent autopsy requested by the family of Latino teen Andres Guardado revealed that he was shot five times in the back.

Police Line
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Guardado's parents said the preliminary findings of the investigation confirmed that the 18-year-old security guard was unjustifiably shot and killed last month by a deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The teen parents said their son does not deserve to die. They said Guardado had so much life ahead of him if he is still alive.

Guardado's family has hired forensic pathologist and neuropathologist Dr. Bennet I. Omalu to conduct an autopsy after the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department placed a "security hold" on his case two weeks ago.

Earlier, Capt. Kent Wegener, head of the homicide bureau, said in a news conference that the county's medical examiner autopsy report would be released. But on Wednesday, LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said in another press conference that the released of the official medical examiner's report would be put on hold.

He noted that "holding facts" have been a practice to prevent the investigation from being tainted.

Commander Chris Marks agreed with Villanueva and said that the "security hold" will remain until all interviews related to the homicide will be completed.

However, lawyers of Guardado's family said the officials' failure to explain what exactly prompted the shooting has made the grieving process of the family more difficult.

According to lawyer Nicholas Yoka,it has been 20 days since Guardado was fatally shot and killed and they are once again appealing to the Sheriff's Department to release the examiner's autopsy result and do the right thing for the family.

It can be remembered that Guardado was working as a security guard at an auto body shop in Gardena on June 18, when the incident happened. His family said it was one of the two jobs that the teen had, while going to school.

In a report published by Latin Post, it said Guardado looked toward two sheriff's deputies, produced a handgun, and started to run away. The law enforcers pursued Guardado and then multiple gunshots emanated in an alley at the back of a building, where the teen was allegedly trapped.

Guardado was pronounced dead at the crime scene and law enforcers did not divulge any information as to what prompted the cops to shot the Latino teen.

The two officers allegedly involved in the shooting incident are Miguel Vega, who reportedly opened fire and shot Guardado, and Chris Hernandez, the police officer that didn't shoot.

Hernandez has been interviewed by the investigators, while Vega is scheduled to be interviewed next week.

Marks said both of the police officers are still employed, but he did not disclose where the two police officers are currently assigned.

A .40-caliber pistol was found in the crime scene. It had no markings or serial numbers but it has not been fired.

A cousin of Guardado said during the preliminary investigation that they believed the gun does not belong to Guardado. Adam Shea, another lawyer of the family, also believed that Guardado did not own the gun.

Last weekend, the teen's parents said they laid their son to rest "in a ceremony surrounded by all the people that loved" him.

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