L.A. County deputies mistakenly shoot aspiring TV producer being held hostage

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department fatally shot an aspiring TV producer on Monday after being mistaken during a hostage situation.

Authorities announced on Thursday that deputies accidentally killed 30-year-old John Winkler while responding to a hostage situation because of a similar outfit the TV producer was wearing, reports CNN. A news release from the Department said, "Deputies were told by informants there were only two males residing in the apartment and described the suspect as male, white, thin build, wearing a black shirt."

The problem started as deputies began preparing to enter the apartment . They said they knocked and received no response, but just as they were about to rush in, a bleeding man ran from the apartment while Winkler followed behind jumping at the fleeing man.

Winkler appeared to match the suspect's description, so police shot him. Both of the men were hit by bullets. Winkler, who had just been hired as a production assistant on the Comedy Central program Tosh.0 died after being rushed to the hospital.

The deputies then entered the room and found the suspect, Alexander McDonald, fighting with another victim and police were able to subdue him.

According to the Los Angeles Times, 27-year-old McDonald "in a rage ... began stabbing men and fighting with them" when deputies showed up, officials said

The two other victims were treated at the hospital with stab wounds and the one who initially left the apartment with Winkler also had a bullet wound in his leg.

McDonald has been charged with a single count of murder, one count of torture and two counts of attempted murder.

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