Protesters In Carmichael Condemn Man's Death By Sheriff's Deputies

CARMICHAEL (CBS13) - A protest and vigil Friday night focused on the shooting death of a black man last month by the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.

It was a peaceful protest, but activists got loud once again chanting for justice.

Black lives matter protestors on Madison Avenue in Carmichael demanded answers in the October shooting death of 36-year-old Adriene Ludd.

Deputies say they were forced to shoot Ludd when he pointed a loaded gun at three deputies during a routine traffic stop.

Investigators say the gun jammed and fell, but Ludd reached for the gun again, they say.

"Asking for several things, one is the dashcams to be released. He was shot and he didn't shoot back. And there are 36 casings and none of them came from the gun that supposedly Adriene had," said Levon Devis, a Sacramento pastor.

The sheriff's department says the video is evidence. Activists say they have hope after a Chicago judge recently ordered the release of graphic video showing police shooting a black teen sixteen times.

Investigators point to Ludd's long rap sheet dating back decades.

His girlfriend, Lala Abril, believes her boyfriend has been misrepresented in the media. She says  he was a kind man trying to turn his life around.

"He got into trouble a long time ago and he paid his dues and he was an amazing person; a humble man and loved life," said Abril.

Investigators say they found another loaded gun in Ludd's pocket.

"The thing is that if he did or didn't it doesn't give somebody a right to strip someone of their life," she said.

It was the fifth officer-involved shooting in Sacramento County this year, reigniting the debate over excessive force.

"They should, I think, be able to subdue a person without killing them," said a protestor.

The three deputies involved in the shooting were placed on paid leave, which is standard department protocol.