A California Highway Patrol officer fatally shot her husband in Compton, saying he had abused her, said sheriff's deputies.
The CHP officer, who was not identified, called authorities at 11:07 p.m. Saturday and said she'd shot her husband in the upper torso in the 400 block of Amantha Avenue after he became "verbally and physically combative," said sheriff's Deputy Rick Pedroza.
Questions, though, revolve around where the shooting happened. One homicide detective working the case said the off-duty officer shot her husband near Central Avenue and the 91 Freeway before driving into the residential area and calling authorities.
Family members and friends of Marcus Lemons say they do not believe he was an abusive person. A brother, who did not want to be named, said Lemons "would never do something like that."
Lemons worked as a barber at Platinum Cutz in Compton. Co-workers have placed yellow friendship roses and candles at Lemons' barber chair.
"It's hard for me to believe it at all," said owner Randy Brown. "He was like a brother to me. He never would've done this. I've seen him get upset over little things here and never lashes out. He could never do that to his wife."
Brown said Lemons was married to his officer-wife for about five years and that they shared a two-year-old daughter. That's in addition to Lemons' 13-year-old son from a previous relationship.
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Darian Milow, the man's former fiancée, questioned Lemons' aggressiveness.
"We were together for years, and he's never touched me in any way; so for them to portray him as this monster is unbelievable," Darian Milow told KCAL-TV.
A spokesman for the CHP said they will not comment on the case. Investigators will hand over evidence to the District Attorney's office to see if charges will be filed. The off-duty officer was not arrested.
