On June 23, 2021, Frederick Holder was killed by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies while driving in a white Ford utility box truck. 

The deputies involved in the shooting did not have body cameras and reportedly engaged in a pursuit outside of the departmental procedure. They also opened fire on an occupied vehicle on a crowded freeway on-ramp. 

The gunshot wounds sustained by Holder were so severe that he was unrecognizable to his family. Prior to his death, Holder had spent time with his mother, April, and had said goodbye to her the day before he was killed. 

The shooting occurred after a helicopter operator from the Los Angeles Police Department radioed the LASD Norwalk station requesting a unit to stop Holder’s vehicle, stating that although the truck was “not wanted,” the pursuit would continue due to the open tailgate. 

The vehicle had initially been reported to the LAPD’s Southwest station for reckless driving. The family of Frederick Holder has given permission for the release of graphic and disturbing autopsy photos. Viewing these images may be distressing, so caution and self-care should be exercised.

On June 23, 2021, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) pursued and shot Frederick Holder, despite LASD policy stating that pursuits should not be initiated or continued for infractions or misdemeanor crimes such as reckless driving. 

Four sheriff’s deputies located Holder’s truck and surrounded it, instructing him to exit the vehicle. Holder slowly drove away, prompting the deputies to pursue him in their vehicles. He drove onto a freeway on-ramp, merging with traffic that was stopped at a red light, and the deputies parked their vehicles behind him. 

Three of the deputies, who were not wearing body cameras despite LASD policy requiring them to be activated during vehicle stops and pursuits, approached Holder’s truck with their guns drawn. 

LASD policy prohibits the discharge of firearms at stationary or moving vehicles, the occupants of a vehicle, or the tires of a vehicle unless the person in the vehicle is imminently threatening deadly force by means other than the moving vehicle.

Internal LASD documents also state that shooting at a vehicle is inherently dangerous and almost always ineffective. When the deputies approached the driver’s side door, Holder allegedly pointed a lighter at them, prompting them to open fire. 

Deputies Jackie Rojas, Javier Fierros, and Christopher Conger fired ten shots from a .223 rifle and 23 shots from two 9mm handguns, standing on either side of the cab and shooting Holder where he sat, resulting in the crossfire. 

Holder was hit 11 times, with his jaw being blown off by the shots from the high-powered assault rifle. After Holder’s death, LASD claimed that the truck was stolen, but requests to review the reports for the stolen vehicle made by Knock LA were denied.