(Newswire.net — June 7, 2015) — Los Angeles, Cal. – The actions of the two LAPD police officers were justified in shooting an unarmed man, the LAPD chief Charlie Beck and inspector general Alex Bustamante said, according to the AP. The Officers said the 25-year-old black man, Ezell Ford, punched one officer and reached for his holstered gun. The second officer then fired two shots into a man’s chest and the attacked officer fired the third shot hitting Ford in a back. Ford died later in the hospital.
The officers were not suspended but pulled from patrolling until the investigations ends. Reportedly, investigators have found evidence that correspond to the statement that both officers gave after the shooting. The forensic investigators detected Ford’s DNA on police officer’s gun.
When approaching an unarmed suspect, there are regulations preventing the possibility of suspect reaching for the police officer’s gun. According to inspector general, the two officers didn’t follow the regulated “position of safety” approach to the suspect, calling it “unacceptable” Los Angeles Times reported. However, the regulations are guidelines more than strict rules.
According to LA Times, it was unclear why two LAPD officers, Sharlton Wampler and Antonio Villegas, stopped Ford in the first place. However, LAPD department source cited by the newspaper said the officers decided to approach Ford after they saw him toss a small package they suspected was drugs. No narcotics were found on the scene.
While the LAPD said it would recommend that both officers be cleared on all accounts, calling the shooting ‘justified.’ The inspector general will allegedly recommend a department-level punishment of the officers because they failed to follow the approach tactic.
Edsell and Tritobia Ford, the parents of the victim, are suing the LAPD for $75 million for allegedly racially profiling their son. Reportedly, Ezell Ford suffered from serious mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression. According to Ford’s parents, the police officers knew that.
According to LA Times, Ford was arrested six years ago by one of his shooters for the possession of marijuana. However, the officer said he doesn’t remember the case.
The officers who found marijuana in Ford’s car also arrested Ford’s father and his brother at the scene, the paper reported.
Reportedly, Ford was one of 18 people killed and nine others wounded in LAPD shootings last year.