Fatal encounters

EULIA LOVE, 1979

Incident: Two LAPD officers killed Love after they were called to her South Los Angeles home over an unpaid gas bill.

Outcome: The department found the officers acted within policy, prompting widespread outrage. The Police Commission found the officers violated department policy and set new rules stipulating that the commission would adjudicate major use of force cases.

MARGARET MITCHELL, 1999

Incident: Officers killed the mentally ill homeless woman after police said she lunged at them with a screwdriver.

Outcome: Then-Police Chief Bernard Parks acknowledged that officers used poor tactics but said the officer who fired was legitimately concerned for his safety. The commission concluded that the shooting was out of policy.

DEVIN BROWN, 2005

Incident: An officer killed Brown after he drove a car onto a sidewalk and then backed it up toward the officer.

Outcome: Then-Chief William Bratton said the officer’s actions were justified because his life was threatened. The commission overruled him.

STEVEN WASHINGTON, 2010

Incident: Washington, an unarmed autistic man, was killed by officers after they allegedly spotted a dark object in his waistband.

Outcome: Chief Charlie Beck found the officers violated LAPD policies in how they approached and engaged Washington, but said it was reasonable for them to think he had a gun and intended to shoot them. The commission disagreed, saying Washington “did not engage in any conduct that posed a threat warranting the use of lethal force.”