Type Shooting Date 1 March 2015 | Charges None filed | |
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Filmed by Bystander's cell phone camera Participants Francisco Martinez, Daniel Torres, and Chand Syed (LAPD officers) Deaths Charley Leundeu Keunang Location Los Angeles, California, United States | ||
The shooting of Charley Leundeu Keunang, a 43-year-old Cameroonian national, occurred in Los Angeles, California, on March 1, 2015. He was shot by three Los Angeles Police Department officers.
Contents
On December 1, 2016, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced that no criminal charges would be filed against the officers who shot Keunang, and considered it an act of self-defense.
Shooting
Charley Leundeu Keunang also went by the names of "Africa," "Cameroon," or "Charley Saturmin Robinet" (a stolen ID). He was ordered by police to come out of his tent in Skid Row after fighting with someone inside the tent. Someone called 911 and reported that a robbery had occurred in the area. When police arrived on scene, Keunang threatened the caller with a baseball bat. The officers stated that Keunang became aggressive and ignored commands. After he allegedly refused the police order, they forcibly dragged him out of the tent. A physical altercation ensued with several police officers, during which one or more officers shot and killed Keunang. At least two videos captured the incident. Keunang was shot six times.
Aftermath
Following Keunang's death, a protest was held locally in Los Angeles. The protesters organised using the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter. Fourteen people were arrested in the course of the protest.
Legal proceedings
The shooting prompted the LAPD to conduct an investigation. The shooting reportedly was reviewed by the district attorney's office, the Police Commission and its independent inspector general.
In February 2016, the Los Angeles Police Commission ruled the shooting did not violate their policy on the use of deadly force, as the deceased had reached for the officer's weapon. The incident resulted in improvements in the training of officers as to how to better handle incidents involving people with mental health issues.
On December 1, 2016, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced that they would decline to file criminal charges against the three officers who shot Keunang (Francisco Martinez, Daniel Torres, and Chand Syed). Prosecutors stated that the officers acted in self-defense.