A shocking video emerged on Facebook apparently showing police officers shooting and killing a man, known only as Africa, in downtown Los Angeles in broad daylight. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident, filmed by an onlooker, took place on Skid Row outside the Union Rescue Mission, a homeless shelter.
Just watched a video, looks like LAPD killed a robbery suspect in cold blood. He was struggling but pinned, I saw no gun #skidrow
— Angel (@menkhare) 2 Март 2015
#SkidRow Police shoot #homeless man. I DO NOT see how he was a threat w/ all those cops on top of him https://t.co/RiwsfoTw26
— gurlRUN (@gurlRUN) 2 Март 2015
The police responded to a 911 call about a possible robbery. The suspect started fighting when the officers tried to arrest him, LAPD said. One of the policemen used a Taser on the man but it proved ineffective.
During the events of the radio call of a robbery, #lapd officers made contact with a suspect who immediately began fighting officers
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) 2 Март 2015
#lapd officers attempted to use a #TASER to subdue suspect but suspect continued fighting and resisting. Suspect fell to the ground…
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) 2 Март 2015
The shooting took place when the man alleged reached for an officer’s service weapon and a struggle ensued.
While on the ground,suspect and #lapd officers struggled over one of officer's handgun at which point an officer involved shooting occurred
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) 2 Март 2015
Los Angeles police Commander Andrew Smith said that a "thorough and complete" investigation would be conducted into the circumstances of the incident, seen by some as yet another example of excessive use of deadly force by the police. The officers, involved in the incident, were placed on administrative leave.
The incident sparked backlash on social media.
Los Angeles we are coming. #SkidRow
— Anonymous (@occupythemob) 2 Март 2015
A group of activists held a vigil in downtown Los Angeles following the shooting.
Protesters say the man who was shot was known as "Africa" and known to be mentally ill. #SkidRow #OIS #LAPD pic.twitter.com/8e0XlATitC
— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBCLA) 2 Март 2015
