Lancaster, California — On February 6, 2024, at 9:28 a.m., Lancaster Station deputies responded to a business in the 43500 block of 20th Street West, Lancaster, regarding a call of a business disturbance. The caller stated a male, armed with a machete, was at the location. The male was later identified as 38-year-old Jonathan Scott Foster of Lancaster. Deputies located Foster standing outside the front entrance to the business with a machete in his hand and an additional machete affixed to his waistband. He was given numerous commands to drop the machete but refused to comply. After several minutes Foster walked into the open business which was occupied by numerous customers. Deputies on scene fired a taser multiple times and launched several 40MM foam batons at Foster, but they had minimal effect.
After the deployment of a third less-lethal weapon attempt, Foster charged at deputy personnel while still armed with the machete and a deputy-involved shooting occurred. Foster sustained several gunshot wounds to his upper and lower torso. Deputies rendered first aid until the arrival of Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics. Foster was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Two machetes, approximately 24 inches in length, were recovered at the scene. There were no other people injured in the incident. During the investigation, investigators discovered that earlier in the day Foster burglarized a local gas station in the city of Lancaster. During the incident, Foster shattered the front glass door to the business and attacked a female employee with the machete. The victim suffered a severe laceration to her hand and was treated at a local hospital.
