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Family Of Azusa Man Shot To Death By Deputy Awarded $2M

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The family of a 31-year-old Azusa man fatally shot by a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy four years ago was awarded $2 million by a federal jury on Monday.

On Oct. 2, 2009, Efrain Lara Gutierrez was shot to death by Deputy David Salazar while authorities were investigating vehicle break-ins.

The family's lawyer, Dale Galipo, said Guiterrez was shot in the back running away from Salazar.

The sheriff's department, however, said Gutierrez threatened the deputy with a knife.

Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said the department will challenge the jury's decision.

(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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