I've been a huge fan of Tosh.0 for a long time now and I know this tragedy has them all reeling. John Winkler was being a hero and died for his troubles.
I know the police have a rough job in situations like this, but why did they have to shoot him to death?
Family and friends of the aspiring producer mistakenly killed by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies this week said he was excited to be chasing his Hollywood dream.
John Winkler, a 30-year-old TV production assistant who had recently arrived from Washington state to pursue a career in entertainment, was hit once in the chest when three deputies opened fire on him Monday night at a West Hollywood apartment complex, officials said in a statement. Deputies mistook him for an assailant who was holding people hostage at knifepoint in an apartment.
Winkler had recently been hired for several days as a production assistant for the comedy show "Tosh.0." Winkler's friend Devin Richardson said Winkler wanted to become a producer or director."He chased dreams," Richardson said. "He was very smart, a well-liked guy."Winkler's aunt said he was thrilled about being in Hollywood.
"He was quite excited the last time we talked to him," said Anne-Marie Van Wart, 62, by phone from Tacoma, Wash. "He was just getting his foot in the door of life. Just, the light was right around the corner … and [now] he's gone."He died at a local hospital. A second hostage was also mistakenly shot in the leg, officials said.
According to a sheriff's department statement describing the incident "The apartment door suddenly opened and a male victim came rushing out. He was covered in blood and bleeding profusely from the neck. Simultaneously, Winkler ran out of the door, lunging at the back of the fleeing victim. Both ran directly at the deputies." Winkler fit the general description of the suspect — a white man in a black shirt — and when he bolted out of the apartment deputies believed he was the assailant, officials said.
Per the Los Angeles Times, the LASD has also confirmed that Winkler got unwittingly involved after heading over to a neighboring apartment, where he came upon the alleged hostage situation.
"The apartment door suddenly opened and a male victim came rushing out," read a statement from the LASD obtained by the Times. "He was covered in blood and bleeding profusely from the neck. Simultaneously, victim Winkler ran out of the door, lunging at the back of the fleeing victim. Both ran directly at the deputies.
"Winkler was similar to the description of the suspect and was wearing a black shirt," the statement continued. "Believing Winkler was the assailant and the assault was ongoing and he would attack the entry team; three deputies fired their duty weapons at him."
