Keenan Anderson cousin of BLM co-founder died from taser gun of LAPD cop
Police in Los Angeles reported on Wednesday that a man died after being shot many times with a stun gun hours before he was taken to the hospital.
Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore said at a press conference on January 5 that Keenan Anderson, 31, a teacher and relative of Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors, fell into cardiac arrest four hours after a fight with cops on January 3.
Moore said that Anderson tried to flee the scene of a vehicle collision, prompting police to use force to hold him down. He added police were looking into whether or whether Anderson had been drinking or using drugs.
On Wednesday, authorities released footage showing the event and two deadly police shots.
For Mayor Karen Bass, “We must reduce the use of force overall, and I have absolutely no tolerance for excessive force,”
According to the police report, witnesses to the accident flagged down an officer and pointed the finger of blame at Anderson. The unnamed officer noticed Anderson “running in the middle of the street and exhibiting erratic behavior.” Police say the officer spoke with him and then called for backup while investigating a possible DUI.
Police body camera footage and witness cellphone video released on Wednesday reveal that Anderson cooperated with the officer’s directions at first, but then ran away. Moore stated that Anderson struggled against law enforcement’s attempts to control him. Video reveals that an officer’s elbow was forced into Anderson’s neck at one point. Anderson had fallen to the ground at that moment and was lying face down.
Anderson said, “They’re trying to George Floyd me,” as he signalled for assistance.
Anderson was Tasered many times by the police while they struggled, according to Moore. Despite the fact that the department’s policy does not restrict the amount of times an officer can use a stun gun, Moore advises against using it in rapid succession or simultaneously to prevent hurting the individual they are seeking to subdue.
Moore stated that Anderson was finally brought into custody, evaluated by fire department officials, and then transferred to the hospital for treatment.