Family calls LAPD's fatal shooting of man, 25, unjustified
LOS ANGELES - A 25-year-old man was cooperating with authorities when he was fatally shot by Los Angeles police officers on Monday, family members say, according to KTLA.
A news release by the Los Angeles Police Department says that the shooting occurred after officers conducted an investigative stop in the Newton Area of Los Angeles at around 8:30 p.m. Monday.
"During the stop a struggle ensued, which resulted in an officer-involved-shooting," the release says. "It is unknown if the suspect has any gang affiliations."
No officers were injured in the incident. The suspect was transported to a local hospital where he died, authorities say.
The release does not identify the shooting victim by name, but a woman, who identified herself as the deceased man's mother, called KTLA and said it was her son, Ezell Ford.
"My heart is so heavy. My son was a good kid. He didn't deserve to die," Tritobia Ford told the station.
She reportedly said her son was lying on the ground and complying with the officers' orders when he was shot three times.
A man who said he witnessed the shooting and who identified himself as the cousin of the victim told the station authorities shot his cousin the back.
"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 Newtown Division, knows that - that this child has mental problems," the man, who declined to be identified by name, reportedly said.
"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 out, they don't try to console her... they pull the billy clubs out," he reportedly continued.
The shooting came just two days after Michael Brown, an unarmed black 18-year-old, was killed by police on a street in Ferguson, Mo. Authorities say Brown attacked an officer and tried to take his gun. Others say the teen was surrendering and had his hands in the air when he was gunned down. The shooting has sparked angry, racially-charged protests, violent confrontations with police and looting in the St. Louis suburb.
Ezell Ford is also black.
The LAPD says the incident is currently under investigation by the Force Investigation Division. In addition, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office will also conduct a review of the facts of the case.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the Force Investigation Division at (213) 486-5230. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
