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LA sheriff dares LeBron James to double reward money for gunman info, Internet says 'another Black man targeted'

County Sheriff Alex Villanueva challenged James to double the reward money offered, which currently stands at $175,000, for information on suspect who shot two deputies
PUBLISHED SEP 15, 2020
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva on Monday challenged NBA star LeBron James to match and double the reward money - which currently stands at $175,000 - offered for information on the gunman who ambushed and shot two deputies over the weekend.

"This challenge is to Lebron James. I want you to match that and double that reward," Villanueva said while speaking with KABC Radio. "I know you care about law enforcement. You expressed a very interesting statement about your perspective on race relations and on officer-involved shootings and the impact that it has on the African-American community. And I appreciated that. But likewise, we need to appreciate that respect for life goes across all professions. Let's see what he does. I'll be very curious to see what his response is, if any."

The Los Angeles Lakers player has famously spoken out against police brutality in the past and championed the Black Lives Matter movement, especially after Jacob Blake was shot multiple times by officers in Wisconsin last month. "I know people get tired of hearing me say it, but we are scared as Black people in America," James said following the Lakers' Game 4 last month. "Black men, Black women, Black kids, we are terrified." 

He also took to social media to express his anger over the matter, writing, "And y’all wonder why we say what we say about the Police!! Someone please tell me WTF is this???!!! Exactly another Black man being targeted. This sh*t is so wrong and so sad!! Feel so sorry for him, his family and OUR PEOPLE!! We want JUSTICE"



 

People on Twitter reacted to Villanueva's challenge to James, may of them saying that the athlete was all-talk and no action when it comes to supporting causes and that they did not believe that he will even take the time to respond to the challenge. "I cried the day he came to the #MiamiHeat I haven’t watched @NBATV in 3 years. What a waste of time," said one who was clearly not a fan of his playing, while another commented, "@KingJames won’t do anything but whine and cry and dream of 'pizza' parties!" A third wrote, "LeBron doesn't have what it takes to do the right thing - to take the high road - to set a positive example" 



 



 



 

However, there were those who sided with James against the sheriff. "Villanueva should be immediately removed of his command. His ignorance is astounding. He isn’t fit for the job," one of them noted, while another commented, "I don’t understand why he would? Is it his job to offer reward money for crimes across the nation? Or is he only supposed to offer rewards if an officer is shot?" A third opined, "But this same sheriff wouldn't match or talk about an issue that involves other police officers misconduct. @KingJames don't fall for it bruh. Until they start holding their own accountable they shouldn't expect much from the citizens they abuse."



 



 



 

We reported earlier that Two Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies who were shot multiple times at point-blank range in an ambush with an unidentified suspect are battling to stay alive, according to authorities. The shooting happened at around 7 pm on Saturday, September 12, at the Metro Blue Line station at Willowbrook Avenue and Compton Boulevard, not far from the Compton Sheriff's station. 


 

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