LeBron James challenged by LA County Sheriff to match $175K reward for cop shooting

This weekend, two deputies were shot by one man near a metro rail station in Compton. man approached deputies' patrol car and opened fire before fleeing scene on foot. video was shared online, in which LA County asked people to help find shooter for a $100,000 reward. Additionally, private citizens are offering a $75,000 reward for same. During a recent interview, Sheriff Alex Villanueva challenged NBA icon, LeBron James, asking him to contribute to finding man responsible for shooting of two cops – a 31-year-old female deputy and a 24-year-old male deputy.

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Compton cop shooting: LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva asks LeBron James to match reward money for LA ambush of two cops

During a recent interview on a local radio show, Villanueva issued challenge to James. As per reports, sheriff wants Los Angeles Lakers star to give $175,000 or $350,000, a combination of both reward pools. “I want you to match that and double that reward because I kw you care about law enforcement," Villanueva said after issuing a challenge to LeBron James. sheriff went on to add that James has expressed a "very interesting statement on race relations and officer-involved shootings" with respect to African-American community. Villanueva said that while he appreciates everything, he wants people to respect that "life goes across professions, races, creeds" and would like to see someone like James step up and double reward money. 

suspect, who shot deputies at point-blank range, was described as a dark-skinned male between of 28-30. He was wearing dark clos and officers were able to ask for help via radio. Both deputies underwent surgery on Saturday night. 

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As James has actively spoken about George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and Jacon Blake among ors, Villanueva did t specify which statement he was referring to. three-time NBA champion has maintained his stand and has continued raising awareness at NBA bubble in Orlando, Florida. James is yet to respond to challenge issued.

Also read | Sheriff on Compton Cop shooting: need to stop fanning 'flames of hatred'

Candace Owens blames "pea-brained" LeBron James for Compton cop shooting

Villanueva's challenge comes right after controversial author and Donald Trump supporter Candace Owens called out James for being "pea-brained", blaming him for shootings. "Why does this happen? Because pea-brained celebrities that are idolized like @KingJames tell young black men that y are “literally being hunted," Owens wrote, calling James dishonest. author has also called out James on Fox News' Life, Liberty & Levin interview, where she questioned him saying he has lived a "tough" life as a black man in USA. She even mentioned James' lavish $100 million mansion in Bel Air, where NBA star employs people to cook, garden and drive him. "So if that's racism, LeBron, please, please share some of that with rest of us," Owens said. In her tweet, she was referring to James' tweet after Arbery's murder. 

James is currently at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, preparing for Western Conference Finals. Lakers, led by James, have reached WCF for first time since 2010. Akron native has dominated floor this postseason, surpassing Ray Allen on all-time playoffs three-pointers list and is w all-time leader for most number of playoff wins in NBA history. 

Also read | LeBron James' dishonest rhetoric to be blamed for LA ambush and Compton cop shooting: Candace Owens

(Im credits: AP, LA County Sheriffs Twitter)