On Thursday, an 18-year-old security guard named Andres Guardado Pineda was fatally shot by a Los Angeles deputy.

According to Mercury News, the shooting took place around 6 p.m. PST in the Gardena area. At the moment, it’s unclear what led the deputy to fire at Pineda.

The 18-year-old, who was shot in the upper torso and pronounced dead at the scene, was accused of “producing a fireman” and then running between two businesses. “A short foot pursuit ensued and at the conclusion, the deputies contacted the suspect and a deputy involved shooting occurred,” the statement read.

While speaking with KCBS-TV, body shop owner Andrew Haney explained that security guards stand out front because of issues with taggers. “He was there more because of the friendship and to learn (about cars),” Haney said of Pineda. “He wasn’t (our) formal security guard, but he felt the right thing to do was to keep an eye out in the front and if he saw someone tagging, he would stop them.”

Haney also explained that he doesn’t believe cops’ accusation that Pineda was in possession of a gun. “I’ve never known him to carry a gun and had he had a gun, he wouldn’t have taken it out and pointed it at an officer,” Haney said.

Like Haney, Pineda’s sister Jennifer also shared her thoughts on the situation following the devastating news. “He was going to have a great career and a family. He’ll never get to experience that. They took that away from him. I never got to say goodbye. He was my joy. Now, I’m dead inside,” she said.

Sheriff’s Lt. Charles Calderaro informed reporters that the victim was not wearing a security guard uniform at the time, which caused confusion regarding his occupation. At the moment, the investigation remains ongoing.