Inglewood pigs-shooting of unarmed man

[_ G O D _]

Investigators probe Inglewood pigs-shooting of unarmed man
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20080512-1826-ca-policeshooting.html
San Diego, United States
INGLEWOOD
Three investigations were under way Monday into the killing of an unarmed man and
wounding of another by two police officers who heard gunshots, believed they were
under attack by occupants of a car coming at them and opened fire, the police chief
said.
Investigators turned up no weapons and there was no clear evidence that any gunfire
hit the officers' car, but there were witness accounts of gunfire in the area
beforehand, Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks said at a press conference where she expressed
condolences to the victim's family.

"I'm very sorry and my condolences go out to the family," Seabrooks said. "However,
there are facts and circumstances that we are obligated to investigate to determine
exactly what occurred here. If it turns out that the Inglewood Police Department
could do something better, you can rest assure we will."
The shooting was under investigation by Inglewood detectives, and the department was
also conducting an administrative probe, Seabrooks said.
Both officers were placed on paid administrative leave, as is routine, she said. The
officers' names were not released. One has been with the department for 5? years and
the other for less than a year, the chief said.
The Los Angeles County district attorney's office was conducting a separate
investigation, the chief said.
The incident occurred around 1:40 a.m. Sunday in a parking lot in the small city east
of Los Angeles International Airport.
Seabrooks said the officers were on patrol when they heard gunfire and saw a male
running.
When the officers went to investigate, "a vehicle was being driven at them, they
heard additional shots, and at that time engaged what they thought was a person
responsible for shooting at them," Seabrooks said.
The chief said both officers fired their weapons but she did not know how many times.
Michael Byoune, 19, of Los Angeles, a passenger in the car, was killed. The driver,
Larry White, was wounded. A second passenger was unhurt and was released by police.
Asked whether the officers were sure the vehicle was being driven at them or perhaps
was going past them, Seabrooks said that was part of the investigation.
Asked if statements by Byoune's family that he was out to get a meal were correct,
Seabrooks said, "That is the information that I have." She also indicated Byoune had
not been running to the car.
Seabrooks had no information on who may have been involved in the original gunfire
that was heard and she said police were seeking the public's help.
The Los Angeles Times reported on its Web site that police Capt. Eve Irvine said
three witnesses reported seeing a man in the parking lot pointing a gun in the
direction of the officers before the fatal shooting, and that expended rounds that
weren't from the officers' guns were found in the parking lot.
Byoune's mother, Jackie Roberts, said at a vigil held for her son Sunday that he
hadn't been to jail and wasn't involved in gangs.
"Last year on Mother's Day he was there for me. Now he's not here and I won't see him
no more," she said.
Inglewood police have faced high-profile probes in recent years.
In 2002, a bystander's video showed a black teenager in handcuffs being hit by a
white officer and slammed into a patrol car. The officer claimed that, unseen in the
video, the teen had grabbed his testicles. A judge dismissed a criminal charge of
assault against the officer after two juries deadlocked.
Another jury awarded $1.6 million to the officer, who had been fired, after he sued
the city for discrimination on grounds that a black officer who allegedly hit the
teenager with a flashlight received lesser punishment.
Last year, federal investigators said they were looking into allegations that at
least six current or former Inglewood officers had received sexual services at local
massage parlors.
And, a Florida woman filed a lawsuit in August, claiming she was raped by an
Inglewood officer. No criminal charges have been filed but the district attorney's
office has been investigating her claims

--
_____________________________________________________

I intend to last long enough to put out of business all COck-suckers
and other beneficiaries of the institutionalized slavery and genocide.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The army that will defeat terrorism doesn't wear uniforms, or drive
Humvees, or calls in air-strikes. It doesn't have a high command, or
high security, or a high budget. The army that can defeat terrorism
does battle quietly, clearing minefields and vaccinating children. It
undermines military dictatorships and military lobbyists. It subverts
sweatshops and special interests.Where people feel powerless, it
helps them organize for change, and where people are powerful, it
reminds them of their responsibility." ~~~~ Author Unknown ~~~~
___________________________________________________
--