FacebookJohn Winkler wasn't a longtime member of the Comedy Central family, but his work was appreciated while he was there.
"Comedy Central and Tosh.0 extend their deepest condolences to the family of John Winkler," the network said in a statement to E! News Friday. "We only had the privilege of working with him for a short while and extend heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends during this tragic time."
Winkler, 30, an aspiring producer, had worked as a temp production assistant on the Daniel Tosh-hosted, pop-culture-skewering show. Tosh also tweeted similar condolences today.
Winkler had reportedly only been living in Los Angeles for about six months when he was killed Monday, gunned down by L.A. County Sheriff's Deputies who mistook him for a suspect in a knife attack at a West Hollywood apartment complex.
Interim Sheriff John Scott called the shooting "very tragic," according to the Los Angeles Times.
According to details provided by officials from the LASD and L.A. County District Attorney's Office, deputies were called to a Palm Avenue apartment building in response to a report of a knife-wielding assailant. A man had run out of an apartment clutching his neck, which was gushing blood, and Winkler was in close pursuit behind him.
Officials said that both men headed straight toward several deputies and Winkler was mistaken for the alleged attacker, having fit the general discription of the suspect, said to be a white male wearing a black shirt. Three deputies opened fire, wounding the bleeding man in the leg and hitting Winkler once, fatally, in the chest.
Meanwhile, suspect Alexander Tor McDonald has since pleaded not guilty to one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of torture in connection with what allegedly occurred that night. Officials said that deputies entered the apartment and saw McDonald choking another male victim and "tearing at his face." He was subdued and arrested.