News
Lawsuit alleges deputy involved in woman’s death also physically assaulted janitor
In a shocking turn of events, Deputy Ty Shelton from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is facing serious allegations of excessive force and violence. According to a new lawsuit filed on March 29, eight months before Shelton fatally shot a woman in front of her 9-year-old daughter, he allegedly body-slammed a school janitor who was simply taking out the trash.
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the Palmdale School District, targets both Shelton and the Sheriff’s Department in Los Angeles Superior Court. It claims that Shelton should have been able to distinguish that the school janitor, Eric Rios, was not the suspect he was chasing and that Rios posed no threat. Despite Rios clearly stating that he was not the suspect, Shelton proceeded to violently body-slam him to the ground, causing substantial injuries.
The Sheriff’s Department, in response to the lawsuit, stated that Rios was wearing similar clothing to the suspect and fit the physical description, leading deputies to believe he was the person they were chasing. However, it was quickly determined that Rios was not the suspect, and medical aid was offered to him after the incident.
This is not the first time Shelton’s use of force has come under scrutiny. In 2020, he shot and killed a man during a response to a domestic violence call in Lancaster. County records show that prosecutors declined to file charges against Shelton in that case, but acknowledged that there may have been other reasonable options available to him.
In another tragic incident, Shelton was involved in the shooting of Niani Finlayson, a mother from Lancaster, who called 911 for help claiming her former boyfriend was attacking her and her daughter. According to a notice of claim filed by Finlayson’s family, deputies arrived at the scene and shot Finlayson multiple times through a sliding glass door, despite her not posing a threat.
Attorney Bradley Gage filed a notice of claim on behalf of Finlayson’s family, indicating plans to sue the county and the Sheriff’s Department for $30 million. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for Shelton to be held accountable for his actions.
The Sheriff’s Department has had a troubled history in the Antelope Valley, facing allegations of using unreasonable force, harassment, and intimidation towards Black and Latino residents. A federal investigation in 2013 found a pattern of misconduct, leading to a settlement agreement outlining necessary reforms.
It is imperative that instances of excessive force and violence by law enforcement officers are thoroughly investigated and addressed. The safety and well-being of the community depend on accountability and transparency within law enforcement agencies. The allegations against Deputy Ty Shelton are deeply concerning and must be taken seriously to ensure justice is served.
News
Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?
The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.
This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.
In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?
Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.
Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?
With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:
Prices may rise again
If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.
But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.
Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.
You may be able to make a quick profit
Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.
Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.
There are other benefits of investing in gold
There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:
- Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
- Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.
The bottom line
Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.
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