Friday, August 22, 2014

Unarmed Ezell Ford Shot Trying To Grab Police Weapon

Unarmed Ezell Ford Shot Trying To Grab Police Weapon ---
tags: Unarmed and Dangerous , police brutality, Officer Involved Shooting , black victim, racism, Mental Illness, Suicide by Cop, attack on police, lawsuit, Asian Suspect, hispanic suspect, black suspect, black victim

1 killed August 11, 2014  Unarmed Ezell Ford Shot Trying To Grab Police Weapon When Los Angeles police anti-gang officers conducted an "investigative stop" of 25-year-old Ezell Ford on a Los Angeles sidewalk, he "wheeled around and basically tackled the lead officer," then went after his weapon, an LAPD spokesperson told the LA Times. His mother claims he was known to have schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. She and  at least one eyewitness say he was complying with the officers and lying on the ground when he was shot in the back.  He was one of four notable cases of unarmed black men killed by police. Ford’s family has filed a civil rights lawsuit against the LAPD  claiming $75 million in damages. June 2015, a civilian oversight committee recommended administrative disapproval for one and no fault with another officer, and left criminal charges to the DA. Ford had prior convictions for possession of marijuana, illegally possessing a loaded firearm, and trespassing. Officers involved in the shooting are Asian American and Latino.

*References

Shooting of Ezell Ford - Wikipedia WikipediaEzell Ford, a 25-year-old African-American man, died from multiple gunshot wounds after being shot by Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers in ...

6/12/2015 version:  Ezell Ford, a 25-year-old African-American man, died from multiple gunshot wounds after being shot by Los Angeles Police Department(LAPD) officers in Florence, Los Angeles, California on August 11, 2014.[1] In the weeks and months that followed, Ford's shooting triggered multiple demonstrations[2][3][4][5] and a lawsuit by Ford's family claiming $75 million in damages.[6] The officers and eyewitnesses offered competing accounts of the events surrounding the shooting,[1][7][8] and an investigation to determine whether the officers' actions were justified is ongoing.[8]
In June 2015, the Los Angeles Police Department's watchdog unit, Los Angeles Police Commission, concluded that one officer was justified in the shooting, and the other officer was unjustified due to violating LAPD policies, which lead up to Ford's death.

Backgrounds[edit]

Ezell Ford[edit]

Ezell Earl Ford[1] was the oldest of seven children.[9] His parents, Tritobia and Edsell Ford,[10] said in August 2014 they had been living in the same neighborhood for 15 years. They said their son had been diagnosed with depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and that everybody in the neighborhood, as well as police, were aware of this.[11] They recalled that Ford had played sports and socialized as a teenager, but grew more introverted and melancholy around the age of 18,[11][12] and took medication which made him less active.[12]
Ashanti Harrison, a neighbor, said he had grown up with Ford, who "did not bother nobody. He was kind of slow. The whole neighborhood took care of him."[13] Harrison also described Ford as having "the mental capacity of an 8-year-old", while another neighbor said "He had a mind of a 10-year-old".[14] Another neighbor said while Ford "wasn't all there, he was there enough to follow orders and know to stop when the police tell him to stop."[7] Leroy Hill, who described himself as an eyewitness to the shooting, and Harrison both said Ford was not involved in gangs.[7][14] A neighbor said the officers who shot Ford had harassed him in the past, including the day before the shooting.[7]
Ford had prior convictions for possession of marijuana, illegally possessing a loaded firearm, and trespassing.[12]

Sharlton Wampler and Antonio Villegas[edit]

The officers involved in the shooting were named on August 28 as Sharlton Wampler and Antonio Villegas, both gang enforcement officers in the LAPD's Newton Division.[15][16][17]Wampler had been on the force for twelve years, Villegas for eight.[17][18] Wampler is Asian American and Villegas is Latino.[17] Wampler was one of two officers accused in a 2011 lawsuit of assaulting and pepper spraying members of a South Los Angeles family in 2009.[15] A settlement was reached in the case in 2012 but details were not disclosed in court records.[19]

Shooting[edit]

LAPD accounts[edit]

According to LAPD commander Andy Smith in August 2014, Wampler and Villegas saw Ford walking on the sidewalk at 65th street and left their vehicle.[1][13][15] The two officers confronted Ford as part of an "investigative stop" at around 8:20 pm.[20] After the release of Ford's autopsy, LAPD chief Charlie Beck said Ford walked away after Wampler and Villegas left their vehicle to speak to him.[5] An earlier press release said Ford looked towards the officers but kept walking and "made suspicious movements, including attempting to conceal his hands".[8][20][21]According to Beck's account the officers then followed Ford to a driveway where he crouched between a car and some bushes.[5] Smith said as they were walking towards him Ford "whirled around and basically attacked the lead officer."[1] An LAPD spokesman said Ford had "tackled" one of the officers.[20] A struggle ensued after Ford tried to remove the officer's handgun from its holster.[8][13] Smith said Ford "grabbed the officer around the waist, threw him to the ground and was laying on top of the officer" when he was shot.[20] Beck's account stated that the officer who was tackled by Ford told his partner that Ford had taken his gun, prompting his partner to shoot Ford twice.[5] The officer on the ground then used his backup weapon to shoot Ford at close range.[5] Smith acknowledged Ford had been on the ground when he was shot, and said "This was an extremely rapidly unfolding event. Basically the fight was on."[20]After the shooting the officers handcuffed Ford.[1][22]
LAPD lieutenant Ellis Imaizumi said the officers sustained minor abrasions which did not require hospitalization; an LAPD news release said neither had been injured.[23] Smith said Ford had been unarmed.[13] Acting LAPD chief Earl Paysinger described the events preceding the shooting as "a violent altercation".[8]

Other accounts[edit]

Tritobia Ford said her son was lying on the ground and complying with officers' orders when he was shot.[7][23] Other family members supported her account, including a man who identified himself as Ford's cousin and said:
They laid him out and for whatever reason, they shot him in the back, knowing mentally, he has complications. Every officer in this area, from the Newton Division, knows that — that this child has mental problems. The excessive force ... there was no purpose for it. The multiple shootings in the back while he's laying down? No. Then when the mom comes, they don't try to console her ... they pull the billy clubs out.[7][23][24]
Harrison, who said he saw the shooting from a second-story window, said Ford had put his hands in the air when he was tackled to the ground and shot three times.[13][25] Harrison said that while on the ground Ford "was struggling like he didn’t want anyone on top of him, didn't want anyone holding him down".[14] Dorene Henderson, a friend of the Ford family, said she heard someone yell "Get down, get down." She said she heard a pop and neighbors telling officers "He's got mental problems."[1][12] Hill said "I was sitting across the street when it happened ... The cops jumped out of the car and rushed him over here into this corner. They had him in the corner and were beating him, busted him up, for what reason I don't know he didn't do nothing." Hill said he heard an officer say "Shoot him", followed by three gunshots, while Ford was on the ground.[7] Ina Smalls, who lives across the street from Ford, said she ran outside after hearing gunshots and saw Ford "on the ground, shot dead, handcuffed on his stomach". Smalls said she did not believe that Ford had tried to take the officer's gun.[9]

Events immediately following the shooting[edit]

Ford was taken to California Hospital Medical Center,[1] where he underwent surgery,[23] and was pronounced dead at 10:10 pm.[1] An employee of the Los Angeles County Coroner said an autopsy found that Ford had died of multiple gunshot wounds.[1] Tritobia Ford said police had refused to inform her where her son was hospitalized.[23]
Police initially offered little information about the shooting,[8] and did not initially release Ford's name or specify why they stopped him.[13][21] Imaizumi said police had declined to release information due to a "gathering" at the scene.[23]

Response[edit]

Comparisons to Michael Brown[edit]

Local civil rights leaders and some on social media drew comparisons between Ford and the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri two days previously.[1][12][13][26][27][28] Earl Ofari Hutchinson, the president of the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable, released a statement soon after the shooting commenting "The killing of Ezell Ford — coming on the heels of the Michael Brown killing in Ferguson, Missouri — again raises the issue and problem of tense police-community relations".[23] Hutchinson also said "If in fact Ferguson hadn't happened, if in fact we hadn't seen what we've seen the last two days there ... I don't know there would be the same sense of urgency. I think coming on the heels of that, it does give it a sense of urgency."[22]

Investigation and LAPD response[edit]

Both officers were placed on paid leave. Paysinger said an investigation would be conducted by the LAPD, overseen by the Los Angeles Police Commission, its Office of Inspector General, and the office of the Los Angeles District Attorney.[8] Steve Soboroff, the president of the Police Commission, said he had asked the inspector general to prioritize its investigation of Ford's case.[21] On August 18 Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti said he would ensure a "full and fair investigation" took place.[14]
Hutchinson and other civil rights leaders met with LAPD officials on August 14. Hutchinson said he was reassured by the meeting and believed the LAPD was taking the concerns seriously, and that it would fast-track the investigation while ensuring transparency. The activists who attended the meeting stressed that they did not want to see in Los Angeles rioting similar to that seen in Ferguson or in L.A. in 1992.[29]
LAPD officials named Wampler and Villegas on August 28.[15][16][17][19] Wampler's name had been leaked the previous day by blogger Jasmyne Cannick.[16] In a statement the department commented "it was necessary to investigate evidence ... regarding potential threats to the safety of the officers and ensure that measures were taken to mitigate those threats."[15][16] Both officers remained on paid administrative leave.[15] In December 2014 a department spokesman said both officers had been reassigned to administrative duties.[5]
On September 2 Inspector General Alex Bustamante issued a statement urging witnesses to come forward. Bustamante said despite the conflicting accounts of the shooting, he had only succeeded in contacting one witness.[30][31] In November 2014 Beck, District Attorney Jackie Lacey and Los Angeles City Council member Curren Price called on witnesses to come forward. On December 4 Beck said no new witnesses had been identified.[32] Beck and Bustamante reiterated in December 2014 and January 2015 that the department had encountered difficulties in finding witnesses,[5][33] and that witnesses whose names were provided by the Ford family's attorney had been uncooperative.[5]
In the aftermath of the shooting, and in response to threats on social media, the LAPD directed all officers to travel in pairs.[17]
The LAPD's watchdog unit, Los Angeles Police Commission, stated that Villegas was justified in the shooting, but Wamper violated Ford's civil rights by detaining him. The commision's findings will be sent to the LAPD's internal affairs group, and after a few months, will be forwarded to LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, who will determine if he will discipline the officers involved. Any possible criminal charges will be determined by the district's attorney.[34][35]

Protests and community response[edit]

On the morning of August 13 a group of men gathered at a makeshift memorial featuring candles and sign reading "police brutality must stop".[7]
On August 14, a rally and march was attended by around 100 protestors who marched from Leimert Plaza Park along Crenshaw Boulevard to the LAPD's 77th division statement.[2][25][36]Protestors marched with their hands raised[36] shouted "hands up, don't shoot",[37] and chanted Ford's name.[25] The protest took place simultaneously with demonstrations in 90 other U.S. cities as part of a National Moment of Silence for Michael Brown.[36] Lavell Ford, Ezell Ford's brother, spoke, saying "They killing us all, they killing us all. Blacks, Latinos, everybody, they just killing us. And we gotta take a stand. It happens everyday around in this neighborhood, everyday. That could've been me laying out there."[2] After the protest many demonstrators went to the scene of the shooting.[36] Another protest took place the following day, and was attended by around 36 people.[38]
On August 15, Paysinger favorably compared the Los Angeles' community's reaction to Ford's death to the reaction to Brown's death in Missouri, and attributed the absence of violence to "the confidence the public has in the police department to conduct an immediate, a thorough, a thoughtful investigation". Paysinger added that the LAPD does "a much better job reaching out to the community" than it had done previously.[9] Soboroff described the comparison as "apples to oranges," due to the LAPD's emphasis on community policing.[21] Price said "Los Angeles is not Ferguson. Much work has gone into changing the culture of our police department. Our progress is evidenced this evening by the presence of our chief of police and his command staff."[39]
On August 15 a video entitled "Fuck the Police" was posted online accompanying a song by Ceebo the Rapper. The song's lyrics state "When they killed Ez' [Ford], they should have killed me," and described police as "the enemy" and "KKK in the flesh." On August 21 the Los Angeles Police Protective League called for officers to be on heightened alert in response to the video.[40][41] Ceebo the Rapper, a cousin of Ford, said "There was never any intent [in the song] to threaten any police or nothing. But I guess that's how they want to take it".[42]
Another protest occurred on August 17,[3][43][44] in response to Ford's death as well as that of Brown.[45] Several hundred protestors marched to LAPD headquarters, where several speeches were made, and then to Union Station, La Placita, through Little Tokyo and Chinatown to City Hall. Protestors carried signs carrying the names of Ford and Brown;[46] others woreGuy Fawkes masks.[44] The protestors again chanted "Hands up, don't shoot",[44][45][47] and called for charges to be brought against the officers involved in Ford's death,[47] and for the names of the officers to be released.[14] Speakers also demanded increased civilian oversight of the police and mandatory body cameras.[44] Interactions between police and protestors were minimal and no violence was reported.[44]
On August 19, Beck answered questions before an audience of around 300 community members at Paradise Baptist Church in South Los Angeles,[39][48][49][50][51][52] including members of Ford's family.[53] Beck told the audience there remained "more questions than answers" in the Ford investigation,[53] and said "We wonder the same things: Was it necessary? Was it justified? Could there have been another way? I want exactly what you want ... and that is the truth."[49] Beck declined to name the officers or share information on why they had stopped Ford, explaining "I will not give you half a story ... We have to find out all the facts";[48] and promised the names would be released when the department believed they were no longer in danger of retaliation.[39] Soboroff, Bustamante, Deputy District Attorney James Garrison, and Price also attended.[39] Another protest also took place on the same day.[53] After attending the meeting Paysinger said "You think you're in a good place, but then you find yourself at that meeting ... It was patently clear to me that we need to get busy." Paysinger also commented that two decades previously such a meeting would not have taken place and said he "found great satisfaction, at least in some way, that people came. They had an ability to voice their dissatisfaction with the LAPD because I think somewhere deep down, they do believe that something is going to happen."[54] Around 100 people took part in another protest on August 21.[4][55]
Ford's funeral was held on August 30 at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles. County supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Price, U.S. Representative Maxine Watersand former U.S. Representative Diane Watson spoke at the service.[56][57] Speakers linked Ford's death to other encounters between officers and unarmed African-American men, including the shooting of Michael Brown.[57]
On December 29, following the release of Ford's autopsy, demonstrators gathered outside LAPD headquarters and at Leimert Park.[5][58] That evening protestors briefly blocked traffic on the 110 Freeway.[5][59]
In December 2014 a group of activists including Hutchinson announced the "Ezell Ford Police Conflict Reduction Plan", calling for mandatory body cameras, a review of deadly force policies, retraining on mental health issues, a conflict mediation task force and for all officer-involved shootings to be referred to criminal prosecutors.[60][61] Another demonstration took place on January 3, 2015, organised by the Coalition for Community Control Over the Police, with around 50 participants.[62]
In late December 2014 and early January 2015 protestors camped outside LAPD headquarters. On January 5 they were forced to leave, with two arrests made after participants tried to pass barricades to deliver their demands to Beck.[63][64][65] The following day demonstrators attended the weekly meeting of the Los Angeles Police Commission, demanding greater transparency and civilian control over the LAPD.[66][67] Later in January protestors continued to gather daily outside LAPD headquarters,[68] demanding that Wampler and Villegas be terminated and that Lacey file charges against the officers.[69] An activist interviewed by ColorLines said LAPD officers had used "intimidation tactics" against the encampment.[69] On January 9 leaders met with Beck, who did not accept the demand that the officers be fired but agreed to treat the protestors with greater respect.[68] Following the meeting police removed the metal barricade used to keep the protestors away from the building.[68][70]

Lawsuit[edit]

Appearing on MSNBC's All In with Chris Hayes on August 13, Steven Lerman, the Ford family's lawyer, said he would immediately file a federal civil rights lawsuit against the LAPD. Lerman reiterated that Ford had not been armed, "was mentally challenged ... [and was] not a gangbanger", and characterized the officers as having "absolutely lost control and went to deadly force."[71] Lerman said he had deployed investigators in the neighborhood to interview witnesses and would conduct a private autopsy.[27] A week later Lerman said "I'm convinced due to the results of my initial investigation that this is not a justifiable homicide, this is in fact an execution".[72]
Ford's family announced in September 17 that they had filed a $75 million wrongful death lawsuit against the LAPD.[6][73][74][75] The lawsuit described the shooting as "sadistic and malicious" and claimed it "did not further any legitimate legal purpose" and was a violation of Ford's constitutional rights as he was unarmed, compliant, mentally challenged and committing no crime. At a news conference Ford's family said he may not have understood police orders in the moments before he was shot. Lerman said the shooting occurred "for no other reason than that these officers were bored on a Monday night."[6] Beck commented "I'm certainly not surprised. [A lawsuit] is the course of action that is generally followed in these cases."[74]
In December 2014 an attorney for Ford's family said he had identified four witnesses whose accounts contradicted the LAPD's version of events.[76]

Autopsy[edit]

On August 18 the LAPD placed a "security hold" on the release of the report of Ford's autopsy.[24][28][77] Smith said the hold was due to the risk that the autopsy's findings would affect witnesses' testimonies, but Hutchinson said it would fuel "suspicions about the LAPD's version of the Ford killing."[28]
In October 2014 the South Central Neighborhood Council passed a resolution calling on Price to direct the LAPD to release Ford's autopsy report. A spokesman said the LAPD was reluctant to release information that could adversely affect ongoing investigations, and that the department had seen little success in finding witnesses.[78] On November 13 Garcetti said the report would be made public by the end of 2014.[79][80][81][82][83]
The autopsy was released on December 29. It showed Ford was shot three times, in the back, side and right arm. The gunshot wound in his back bore a "muzzle imprint" suggesting the shot was fired at very close range. It also noted multiple abrasions to Ford's hand and arm.[5] Experts consulted by the Los Angeles Times said none of the autopsy's findings were unexpected or contradicted the officers' accounts.[84]

See also[edit]


References[edit]

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Jump up^ "Protesters March, Temporarily Block Freeway After Release Of Ezell Ford Autopsy Report". CBS Los Angeles. December 29, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
Jump up^ Holguin, Robert (December 30, 2014). "Civil rights leaders present LAPD with Ezell Ford police conflict plan". ABC 7 Los Angeles. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
Jump up^ "Civil-Rights Leaders Propose Plan In Wake Of Ezell Ford Shooting". CBS Los Angeles. December 30, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
Jump up^ "Protesters march in South Los Angeles in remembrance of Ezell Ford, Omar Obrego". Los Angeles Daily News. January 3, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
Jump up^ Rocha, Veronica (January 5, 2015). "After a week, police bust up Occupy LAPD camp-in, arrest 2 women". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
Jump up^ Romero, Dennis (January 6, 2015). "LAPD Temporarily Quashes Police Critics' Encampment (VIDEO)". LA Weekly. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
Jump up^ Yuhas, Alan (January 6, 2015). "Police shut down Black Lives Matter protest outside LAPD headquarters". The Guardian. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
Jump up^ Mather, Kate (January 6, 2015). "Demonstrators angry over shootings address L.A. Police Commission". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
Jump up^ "Community Members Demand Officer Firings Over Ezell Ford Shooting". CBS Los Angeles. January 6, 2015. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
^ Jump up to:a b c Winton, Richard (January 9, 2015). "Protesters meet with Beck; chief refuses to fire officers who shot Ezell Ford". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
^ Jump up to:a b Bogado, Aura (January 9, 2015). "#OccupyLAPD Is Camping Out for Ezell Ford and Omar Abrego". ColorLines. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
Jump up^ Healy, Patrick (January 9, 2015). "Barricades Come Down as LAPD Meets with Demonstrators Over Ezell Ford". NBC Los Angeles. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
Jump up^ Reilly, Mollie (August 13, 2014). "LAPD To Face Civil Rights Lawsuit Over Ezell Ford's Death". The Huffington Post. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
Jump up^ Ferner, Matt (August 20, 2014). "Ezell Ford Family Attorney Calls LAPD Shooting 'An Execution'". The Huffington Post. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
Jump up^ Ferner, Matt (September 17, 2014). "Ezell Ford Wrongful Death Lawsuit Seeks $75 Million". The Huffington Post. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
^ Jump up to:a b Jahad, Shirley (September 17, 2014). "Ezell Ford: Family files civil rights lawsuit against LAPD for shooting of unarmed man". KPCC. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
Jump up^ Vives, Ruben (September 17, 2014). "Ezell Ford's parents file wrongful death lawsuit against LAPD". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
Jump up^ Stoltze, Frank (December 31, 2014). "Ezell Ford: 3 disputed facts in police shooting". KPCC. RetrievedJanuary 3, 2015.
Jump up^ Goff, Kelly (August 19, 2014). "Ezell Ford Autopsy Report Placed on Security Hold". NBC Los Angeles. RetrievedDecember 27, 2014.
Jump up^ Mather, Kate; Winton, Richard (November 12, 2014)."South L.A. frustrated by LAPD's lack of transparency in 2 fatal events". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 27,2014.
Jump up^ "LAPD Chief: Ezell Ford Autopsy To Be Made Public By End Of Year". CBS Los Angeles. November 13, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
Jump up^ Mather, Kate; Winton (November 13, 2014). "Ezell Ford shooting: Mayor orders autopsy report to be released soon". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
Jump up^ Winton, Richard; Mather, Kate (November 13, 2014)."Mayor Eric Garcetti orders LAPD to release Ezell Ford Jr. autopsy". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 27,2014.
Jump up^ Pamer, Melissa; Wolfe, Chris (November 13, 2014). "Ezell Ford Shooting: A Plea for Witnesses to Speak; Autopsy Report to Be Released". KTLA. Retrieved December 27,2014.
Jump up^ Ferner, Matt (November 14, 2014). "Ezell Ford Autopsy Ordered Released By Los Angeles Mayor". The Huffington Post. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
Jump up^ Glover, Scott (December 29, 2014). "Ezell Ford autopsy: Four experts give their verdicts". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
External links[edit]
"Officer-Involved Shooting in Newton Area". Los Angeles Police Department. August 12, 2014.
"Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Provides Preliminary Update on Officer-Involved Shooting in Newton Area". Los Angeles Police Department. August 13, 2014.
Lawsuit against the LAPD, Wampler and Villegas, filed by Ford's parents in September 2014
Ezell Ford autopsy report, published in the Los Angeles Times in December 2014
List of killings by law enforcement officers in the ... - Wikipedia  2014-08-11 Ford, Ezell (25) California (Los Angeles) Ford was shot and killed by LAPD officers Sharlton Wampler and Antonio Villegas, who say Ford was acting suspiciously when they engaged him in a physical altercation. He allegedly knocked one officer to the ground and was trying to get his gun when his partner fired two shots. The officer on the ground pulled out a backup gun and shot Ford in the back. According to witnesses, Ford was unarmed and on the ground when killed. According to his family, Ford suffered from mental illness, and the officers knew him and knew of that. The police chief and inspector general recommended that the Police Commission find the shooting justified on the basis that Ford was trying to grab the officer's gun.[102][103][104] The police commission rejected that recommendation and found that Wampler was wrong to use deadly force but found against Villegas only on drawing his weapon early in the confrontation.[105]

*Sources

 motherjones 

June 9, 2015 Los Angeles Police Oversight Board Reaches Mixed Decision in Fatal Shooting of Unarmed Ezell Ford Democracy now June 10 Family members and at least one eyewitness say he was complying with the officers and lying on the ground when he was shot. On Tuesday, the LAPD’s civilian oversight committee faulted one of the two officers for deadly force but cleared the other. .. administrative disapproval, and one police officer two, in policy, no further action... criminal culpability for the involved officers is the responsibility of the Los Angeles County DA, and not within the authority of the chief of police for this commission." Ford’s family has filed a civil rights lawsuit against the LAPD...."system still exists that unarmed people of color are still being gunned down, and mentally ill people of color are still being gunned down"... Brendon Glenn, gunned down, Charlie Africa, gunned down, you know, one after the other, Omar Abrego beat to death four blocks away from where Ezell Ford was killed, just nine days before. This has to stop."


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    3 days ago - LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Police Department has delayed the release of a pending autopsy report for Ezell Ford, the 25-year-old ...

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    3 days ago - Protesters demanding justice in the deaths of Ezell Ford and Omar Abrego held a march in South L.A. on Aug. 19, 2014. (Credit: KTLA).

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    22 hours ago - On Tuesday, our camera crew arrived in the South L.A. neighborhood ofEzell Ford, the young, mentally ill, unarmed black man who was shot ...

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    Aug 15, 2014 - On Monday night while, 1,800 miles away, Ferguson was rioting over the shooting of Michael Brown, Ezell Ford was walking down a street in ...

  7. Unarmed Black Man, Ezell Ford, Shot by Police in Los ...

    www.theroot.com/.../unarmed_black_man_ezell_ford_shot_by_police_i...

    Aug 13, 2014 - Ezell Ford, 25, was unarmed and, according to his family, was lying on the ground when he was fatally shot by a Los Angeles police officer Aug.

  8. Protesters Demand Answers in Los Angeles Police ...

    www.theroot.com/.../protestors_demand_answers_in_lapd_shooting_dea...

    3 days ago - Several thousand people marched through downtown Los Angeles to protest the killing of Ezell Ford, an unarmed 25-year-old who, witnesses  ...

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    newsone.com › Nation

    Aug 12, 2014 - Ezell Ford, 24, died Tuesday after being shot by Los Angeles police during an encounter Monday night in South LA.

  10. Beck meets with residents, activists about Ezell Ford shooting

    www.latimes.com/.../la-me-ln-beck-meeting-ezell-for...

    Los Angeles Times
    by Kate Mather - 3 days ago - Pictures of Ezell Ford dotted Paradise Baptist Church, where a crowd of more than 200 people often shouted and interrupted Police Chief ...

  11. Killing of Ezell Ford by LAPD Evokes Rising Tension at ...

    www.breitbart.com/.../Killing-of-Ezell-Ford-by-LAPD-Evo...

    Breitbart.com
    by Robert Wilde - 2 days ago - Tensions heightened on Tuesday night as residents and activists grilled Los Angeles police officials with questions regarding the fatal shooting .