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NEW: During the pandemic and protests, police in Los Angeles have continued to kill civilians at alarming rates.
Many of these deaths barely make headlines. Here are a few stories from this violent summer... https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/06/los-angeles-police-killings-dijon-kizzee-andres-guardado
Many of these deaths barely make headlines. Here are a few stories from this violent summer... https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/06/los-angeles-police-killings-dijon-kizzee-andres-guardado
LA sheriffs in Lancaster killed Michael Thomas, 61, inside his own home on June 11. LASD claimed they were responding to a possible domestic violence call, but his girlfriend said there was no threat or violence.
Police fatally shot Michael in the chest. He was unarmed.
Police fatally shot Michael in the chest. He was unarmed.
Michael's daughter, Myesha Lopez, told me he had watched a George Floyd special the night before and was terrified of police and didn't want deputies in his house.
“He said, ‘I know if I open this door, you’re going to kill me.’”
The officers, it appears, did just that.
“He said, ‘I know if I open this door, you’re going to kill me.’”
The officers, it appears, did just that.
Myesha said the “fact that he knew his rights incited the officer’s rage," adding that she was devastated to learn that his girlfriend couldn’t even hold his hand or comfort her father as he lay dying.
“They didn’t value his life. They didn’t care.”
“They didn’t value his life. They didn’t care.”
In some of the summer killings, the only info we have comes directly from police. Even then, the accounts are disturbing.
June 7: LASD responded to reports that a train had struck someone. Deputies found Jarrid Hurst, 38, on the ground by the train – and ended up killing him.
June 7: LASD responded to reports that a train had struck someone. Deputies found Jarrid Hurst, 38, on the ground by the train – and ended up killing him.
LASD claimed Jarrid Hurst had a knife + "suddenly raised" it, prompting two deputies to fire. LASD has provided little other info on how a call for a train accident led to officers killing the apparent victim.
LASD labeled him a "transient" + said he was recently incarcerated.
LASD labeled him a "transient" + said he was recently incarcerated.
May 27: LAPD called to a “neighbor dispute” in North Hollywood + killed Rommel Mendoza, 50, who allegedly had a “sword”.
May 29: Robert Melton Colvin, 39, in Lancaster. LASD says he was “walking on the sidewalk" + when they saw a firearm, they took him to the ground + shot him.
May 29: Robert Melton Colvin, 39, in Lancaster. LASD says he was “walking on the sidewalk" + when they saw a firearm, they took him to the ground + shot him.
The cases you may have heard of:
Andres Guardado, 18, killed by LASD Compton station, home to alleged gang of violent deputies who use excessive force + violate civilians' rights.
Dijon Kizzee, 29, killed by LASD who stopped him on his bike for alleged "vehicle code" violation
Andres Guardado, 18, killed by LASD Compton station, home to alleged gang of violent deputies who use excessive force + violate civilians' rights.
Dijon Kizzee, 29, killed by LASD who stopped him on his bike for alleged "vehicle code" violation
Police across LA county kill an average of three to four people each month, or 45 people per year.
Data from activist groups who are tracking ongoing killings suggest 2020 will be no different, despite shelter in place + intense scrutiny and protests. https://www.latimes.com/projects/los-angeles-police-killings-database/
Data from activist groups who are tracking ongoing killings suggest 2020 will be no different, despite shelter in place + intense scrutiny and protests. https://www.latimes.com/projects/los-angeles-police-killings-database/
The @YouthJusticeLA has tracked at least 23 killings by police this year through June.
Since George Floyd protests erupted in May, @BLMLA has tracked 11 fatal shootings by police in LA County. Majority are the Sheriff's Department.
Since George Floyd protests erupted in May, @BLMLA has tracked 11 fatal shootings by police in LA County. Majority are the Sheriff's Department.
Myesha Lopez, daughter of Michael Thomas, one of the victims:
“If they are killing in this climate, even with the light that has been shined on this, then it’s obvious that it’s their intent ... I don’t believe these officers have the ability to reform themselves.”
“If they are killing in this climate, even with the light that has been shined on this, then it’s obvious that it’s their intent ... I don’t believe these officers have the ability to reform themselves.”
More from Myesha:
"You can’t say that the system is broken. It’s doing what it was intended to do. It’s operating at optimum level. Officers are trained to kill."
"I think the protests are only making them more agitated, more trigger-happy, more volatile, more unstable."
"You can’t say that the system is broken. It’s doing what it was intended to do. It’s operating at optimum level. Officers are trained to kill."
"I think the protests are only making them more agitated, more trigger-happy, more volatile, more unstable."
“We don’t want to pay for more training. The culture is not going to change,” said Marina Vergara, a South LA resident whose brother, Daniel Hernandez, was killed by LAPD in April when police were responding to a traffic collision.
“People run because of their innate fear of police," said Marina, noting that some residents arm themselves for protection: “When you are in South LA, you are not afforded the second amendment. We’re not seen as citizens who are protecting ourselves. We're seen as criminals.”
To better understand how LASD can destroy lives even when they don't use fatal force, read this @AleneTchek piece on deputies allegedly fabricating stories + withholding evidence. Just one example of many in which stories presented by police fall apart... https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-08-31/la-county-sheriff-deputies-lawsuit
And this @mayalau piece on the powerful police PR machine that frequently releases misleading and false information in ways that can cause significant damage. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-08-30/police-public-relations
And to hear more from LASD victims' families who have long been fighting for justice, my piece from July: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jul/01/los-angeles-sheriffs-department-reckoning-police-shootings
