Warning: The video included in this story contains graphic content

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has released officer-worn body camera footage of a deputy shooting a man who allegedly charged them with a knife in the Azusa area on May 20.

The shooting happened after officers responded to reports of an attempted suicide at a home on the 5500 block of North Orangecrest Avenue in an unincorporated area near Azusa around 3:30 p.m.

When deputies arrived, the man, identified as 38-year-old Dilen Flamino, allegedly charged at the nearest deputy with a 3-inch knife. Deputies were armed with a taser and 12-gauge beanbag gun, but were down the street from the deputy that Flamino is seen rushing toward in the video. The deputy called for his partners to bring in the beanbag gun, but resorted to firing his handgun at Flamino during the sudden attack.

“He’s coming up guys,” the deputy is heard saying in the video before opening fire. “Bring the stunbag! Stunbag!”

Video of the shooting shows the man writhing on the ground and tossing the knife away at the request of deputies after he was shot.

Flamino was taken to the hospital in critical condition. He was treated for his injuries. No deputies were injured in the shooting. The incident remains under investigation.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, you can seek immediate professional help by calling or texting the nationwide mental health crisis hotline at 988 on your phone. Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in English and Spanish.

A former Riverside County man was found guilty of sex trafficking a female victim and forcing her to engage in commercial sex acts along L.A.’s notorious Figueroa Corridor.

Elias Abdul Shabazz, 34, formerly of Perris, was found guilty by a jury following a five-day trial, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Prosecutors said Shabazz had led the victim to believe they were in a romantic relationship before he turned physically and sexually violent. He began demanding that the victim engage in commercial sex acts from May to October of 2021, court documents said.

He carried a handgun with him and, on occasion, was accused of using it to pistol-whip the victim. He also fired the gun at her feet while threatening to kill her, prosecutors said.

At trial, the victim said Shabazz demanded that she meet a daily quota of commercial sex proceeds and that she was terrified of the consequences of not meeting that quota. 

She testified that Shabazz compelled her to work in the notorious Figueroa Corridor in South L.A., a dangerous area known for human trafficking and prostitution.

Shabazz had confiscated her identification card, Social Security card and birth certificate. He constantly monitored her cell phone to stop her from communicating with any friends or family.

“He also introduced her to addictive narcotics and controlled every aspect of her life, including when she ate, slept and showered,” prosecutors said.

In May 2025, Shabazz was arrested and has remained in federal custody. His last known address at the time was in Washington, D.C.

On June 26, 2026, Shabazz was found guilty of one count of coercing or enticing interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 6, where he faces 15 years to life in prison.

“Sex trafficking matters rank among the most tragic cases our office prosecutes,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “This defendant will now face many years in a federal prison cell for his sick, disgusting, and disturbing behavior.”

“Elias Shabazz preyed on a vulnerable victim using physical and sexual violence and cruel psychological coercion to compel commercial sex acts for his own profit,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “There is no place for this type of conduct in civilized society. We deeply respect the victim’s courage to face her trafficker in court. The Criminal Division will continue to bring these cases and try them.”

Anyone with information about human trafficking can report tips to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888