U.S. cop’s deadly force in L.A. spotlights continuing controversy

World Today

Cellphone video footage catches the fatal shooting of a robbery suspect by Los Angeles police officers.
The deadly confrontation has raised questions about police misconduct in the U.S.
CCTV America’s May Lee filed this report in Los Angeles.

A makeshift memorial sits near the location of where a homeless man, known by his street name, Africa, was fatally shot by Los Angeles police officers in the city’s infamous skid row district in downtown L.A.

On Sunday, police say officers were trying to subdue the man, who was suspected of robbery.

In videos, shot by witnesses, he’s seen fighting with several officers at times throwing wild punches. Police said even after he was tasered with a stun gun, the struggle continued with the suspect being taken down to the ground.

The suspect, according to police, tried to grab an officer’s gun.

Then someone shouted “Drop the gun”.

“Drop the gun” was said two more times.

Then five shots are fired.

Police said three officers, including a supervisor, fired their weapons.

Investigators are collecting more audio and video evidence including 2 body cameras worn by officers. LAPD Police Chief Charlie Beck has seen and heard some of the evidence.

“Preliminarly you can hear the young officer who is primarily engaged in the confrontation saying he has my gun, he has my gun and he says it several times,” Beck said.

At least three agencies are investigating the incident.

This deadly police shooting came as U.S. President Barack Obama unveiled a report by his Task Force on 21st Century Policing in the wake of controversial confrontations between police and unarmed black men on Monday.

“We have a great opportunity coming out of great conflict and tragedy to really transform how we think about community law enforcement relations,” President Obama said.

The task force made several recommendations including the appointment of independent prosecutors to investigate whenever an on-duty officer kills a civilian.


American University Cathy Schneider explains the 21st Century Policing Report

CCTV America’s Mike Walter interviewed American University professor Cathy Schneider. She is also the author of “Police Power and Race Riots.” Schneider discussed the recent report released by U.S. President Obama from his task force on 21st Century Policing.