The incident began around 9:15 p.m. Saturday, March 16, when Palmdale Sheriff’s Station deputies responded to the 4000 block of Karling Place after receiving a call for service regarding “an assault with a deadly weapon felony warrant suspect seen at the location,” according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Information Bureau.
The suspect was inside a trailer at the location, and when deputies tried to make contact, “the suspect told them he was not going to come out and that he was armed,” the news release states.
“Shortly thereafter, the suspect exited the trailer and pointed a firearm at the deputies. A deputy-involved shooting occurred and the suspect then retreated and barricaded himself inside the trailer,” the news release states.
The Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) and crisis negotiators responded to the scene and made numerous attempts over several hours to persuade the suspect to surrender, but the suspect refused to cooperate and continued to verbally threaten deputies with a firearm, according to the news release.
“In order to gain compliance from the suspect, SEB deputies successfully deployed a diversionary device. During the attempt resolution effort, the suspect exited for a second time and a second deputy-involved shooting occurred,” the news release states.
“The suspect then fled back into the trailer and was later found deceased by apparent gunshot wounds,” the news release states.
The suspect’s identity has not yet been released. No deputies were injured during the incident.
Investigators are still processing the scene and no further information was immediately available.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.
UPDATE: The suspect has been identified by the coroner’s office as 49-year-old Timothy John Beckwith of Palmdale.
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soapbox superman says
Tim was my friend. Only an idiot would point a gun at a sheriff. Tim was not an idiot. He was a good guy with a good heart that had some problems. But he did not deserve to die. No one deserves to die being shot amidst confliction and statements.
To live in fear of an enforcement that could possibly communicate life more effectively…is no way to live… these professionals are trained to resolve conflict…not create it through lethal force…I do not believe he pointed a gun at anyone.
RIP brother…loved you in life…
Janie says
Okay first of all smoking wax does put you in a peaceful state of mind you lames….. Second Tim was a awesome gentle man he had a violent past yeah , but guess what people change and Tim changed he also had no gun he was one of my best friends and did not have a firearm …. That is exactly why no sheriff’s were hurt… Palmdale sheriff’s are doing way to much , they like to harass people that really do not deserve it at all. They have taken me to jail for chasing a guy that hit me head on with his truck on purpose and took off. They let that man go and took me to jail saying he was afraid for his life. These sheriff’s need to be checked they do way to much for sure .R.I.P Tim we will miss you my friend . You were at my house hours before this all happened and were in a good mood as usual I can’t believe they took such a wonderful life
Alexis says
Real friends wouldn’t post that they are going to smoke a bowl, or blaze a dab of wax for their dead friend.
Brandon Berg says
Reading this report the suspect said I’m injured …. if he was stating he was injured why did he come out the 2nd time and why was it that they fired and he got shot? Again when trying to come out. I have a report with the DOJ personally for harassment and threats against my family from sheriffs across the street whom beat my son after a seizure. I’m just saying nobody knows the state this person was in. I’ve been driven into fear in my own home by friends and family of a relative of lasd…. they have threatened me for neighbors whom have relations with the department. I’ve been run off the road even by lasd cars so that we do not sue… I even had a lasd tell me to move or else. All for owners of the neighborhood club. My own father was a lasd.. then he was a detective for ladistrict attorney.. whom prosecuted Italian mafia.. whom lie in bed with some of these lasd…. not all cops are bad… but I’m curious since in this report the suspect was yelling he was injured… why say your injured and beg for help just to come out and get shot? Somethings wrong here.
Alexis says
Brandon Berg… Read the comments from the people that knew him. One says “the next bowl is for you g.” Another says, ” I will blaze a dab of wax for you.” The guy was high (probably meth). When you have friends that will post that they are going to get high for him, well, what do you think?
Neighbor says
Reread the article. No where does it state the subject announced he was injured or requested help. According to the article he announced he was armed and not coming out, after which he exited the camper, two different times. Perhaps his state of mind could be questioned or perhaps he’d simply decided he wasn’t going back to jail. Regardless, this situation could have had a v different ending if not for the choices Mr. Beckwith made Saturday night.
wasted says
Another dead addict that thinks he was dying a righteous death. Rebel without a cause.
Domz says
RIP Tim, you went out like a champ standing your ground, the next bowl is for you g.
ANNON says
One less douche in the Dale
Kendall Wilhite says
Wait, wait what? Omg!
“the suspect told them he was not going to come out and that he was armed,”
“Shortly thereafter, the suspect exited the trailer and pointed a firearm at the deputies.”
Man only said he was armed.
Funny a man is dead?
And No Sheriffs were injured.
Alexis says
He blazed that dab of wax, therefore he was not in a rational, peaceful mind-set. According to a commenter that will blaze one for him.
Victoria says
He said she said… only he is dead. Just like I’ll be dead soon most likely for contacting the DOJ for my situation
Miguel says
Wow! I think the Palmdale sheriffs are a little to agrresive. This isn’t the only bad decisions they have made. As a sheriff you are a professional and should know when to lay off the trigger. This should of been a man in jail not dead!
Ron says
Another fine day in the Antelope Valley. We support our Sheriff Department.
Mike says
I hope he had a weapon!!! Sad!!
Jfck says
R.I.P Tim I will blaze a dab of wax for u tim rest in peace bro
SEB says
“The suspect’s identity has not yet been released.”
His last standoff.