On Sunday, Los Angeles Police Officers fired several shots at a homeless man, killing him. Officials state that the officers shot the man after he reached for an officer’s firearm.
Several witnesses were at the scene when officers tried to subdue the homeless man, who was known by the nickname “Africa”. One bystander recorded a video of the altercation at skidrow, which began when officers allegedly pulled Africa out of his tent after he refused to cooperate. He then began to swing his arms around before an officer tried to subdue him with force. Several other officers joined in subduing Africa, who was on the ground at the time. A woman entered the scene and picked up a nightstick that one of the officers dropped and seemingly aimed it at the officers. More officers entered the scene and two of them handcuffed the woman after disarming her. One of the officers employed a Taser on Africa, which officers say was ineffective. A total of six policemen were at the scene, with four subduing the man. Moments later a series of gunshots sounded as three officers subduing Africa opened fire.
It is unclear as to whether the police used unnecessary force. Some bystanders claim that the police had no need to shoot the homeless man because he was unarmed and outnumbered. After the gunshots, angered bystanders gathered at the scene; police then closed off the area.
On Monday, a small memorial was made for the homeless man. Those who claimed to know him said that he was called “Africa” and “Cameroon” because of his original residence in the nation of Cameroon. Local residents and business owners who knew him described his character. Mecca Harper, a snack shop owner, told the Los Angeles Times that the man was “compassionate, gentle, and sincere” but also mentally ill.
Police officials are still reviewing evidence and footage of the incident. Two officers at the scene were wearing body cameras.
