L.A. police find officers justified in shooting man
REUTERS
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles police chief and an independent watchdog have determined two patrolmen were justified in the shooting death of unarmed black man Ezell Ford last year, the L.A. Times newspaper reported Friday, citing unidentified sources.
Department investigators found evidence indicating Ford had struggled for control of a patrolman’s gun, supporting the account the officers gave after the incident, the newspaper cited two sources as saying.
The department’s inspector general, Alex Bustamante, also found the shooting justified but faulted the officers for the manner in which they approached Ford, the Times reported, citing the sources.
A police spokeswoman would not offer any comment ahead of a Police Commission meeting Tuesday, when the civilian watchdog group is scheduled to weigh the use of force and the officers’ behavior.
The newspaper said Beck will recommend to the oversight commission that the officers be cleared of wrongdoing. The board makes a final ruling, the newspaper said.
Two officers shot Ezell Ford, who was 25 and described by family attorneys as mentally challenged, on Aug. 11 last year after he struggled with one of them and tried to grab the policeman’s holstered service revolver.
Ford’s death was greeted with street demonstrations, and the family filed a federal lawsuit over the shooting, seeking $75 million in damages. In March, Ford’s parents filed a second lawsuit against the department and city, alleging their son was targeted for excessive force because of his skin color.