CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA | PUBLIC SAFETY | November 6, 2026
Quick Take
- The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has released security camera video from a September deputy shooting at a Claremont gas station.
- Deputies say Christopher Sumner, 41, charged at them with a large knife after a customer reported him going through her vehicle.
- Sumner died at the scene, two knives were recovered, and no deputies or bystanders were hurt.
What’s happening?
Newly released footage is giving the public a closer look at what happened before deputies opened fire on Monday, September 21. The video, which has no audio, shows Sumner walking up to a customer’s parked car at the pumps and rummaging through its contents.
The customer then comes out of the convenience store, speaks briefly with Sumner and walks away to find nearby deputies. Video of the shooting has been widely shared online this week.
Where and when?
The shooting happened around 9:34 AM at the Chevron gas station in the 800 block of South Indian Hill Boulevard, near the 10 Freeway and the Claremont-Pomona border. A McDonald’s shares the same lot.
Deputies from the department’s Civil Management Bureau were carrying out a court-ordered eviction at a vacant business next door. A customer approached them and reported that a man armed with a knife was going through her vehicle. Deputies walked over to the gas station and were directed to Sumner.
By the Numbers
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Christopher Sumner’s age | 41 |
| Knives recovered | 2 |
| Deputies injured | 0 |
| Bystanders injured | 0 |
What does the video show?
According to the sheriff’s department, Sumner charged toward deputies while holding a large kitchen knife as they approached on foot. A deputy fired, striking him. Fire personnel arrived and pronounced him dead at the scene.
Lt. Chris Oakley said at the time that deputies had been told a theft might be taking place and that the man charged at them as soon as they arrived. Aerial footage from the day showed a knife lying on the ground near Sumner.
What questions remain?
The department has not said how many shots were fired or how many deputies discharged their weapons. Some people commenting online have questioned whether the level of force was necessary, while others say deputies had only seconds to react to a man running at them with a knife.
Investigators have also not released details about Sumner’s background or why he was going through the car.
What comes next?
The sheriff’s Homicide Bureau is investigating the shooting. As with other deadly deputy shootings in Los Angeles County, the case is expected to be reviewed by the District Attorney’s Office to determine whether the use of force was legally justified.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.
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