Santa Cruz Sheriffs Shoot and Kill a 15-Year-Old Aptos High Student

Luke was killed by deputies after allegedly stabbing two individuals with a four-inch blade knife on the 800 block of Amesti Road. He maintained possession of the knife, and was advancing towards deputies with it when he was killed on the 300 block of Pioneer road, according to a November 19 press release from the Sheriff's Office. Later at a press conference, Sheriff Jim Hart said deputies tried using tasers and foam rounds in an attempt to subdue Luke. They then used a canine. Hart said it was when Luke struggled with the canine, he was shot.

According to a report from KSBW, students identified Luke as the victim of the killing at a gathering that took place outside of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office on the afternoon of November 19. The report quotes a friend of Luke, who stated at the gathering, "He was active. He was a skate aficionado. He was brilliant. Just tragic".

An unconfirmed story is being circulated on social media that alleges the 15-year-old was under the influence at the time of his killing, but an Aptos High parent posted the following statement about Luke on Facebook:

"This kid was a student, football player, and just a kid, at my sons high school, I'm sure the school will be bombarded with support, it's merely rumor that he was on acid, but please share the danger of drugs with your own kids, this was surely very uncharacteristic of this boy, but now he is dead, and that within it's self is the ultimate sadness!"