LAPD: Officers justified in fatally shooting mentally ill black man

Ezell Ford memorial
(Image credit: David McNew/Getty Images)
Julie Kliegman
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The Los Angeles police chief and inspector general determined two officers were justified in fatally shooting Ezell Ford, a mentally ill black man, sources told the Los Angeles Times on Friday. Sources say there's DNA evidence that suggests Ford, diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, fought for control of one officer's gun.

Sharlton Wampler and Antonio Villegas stopped Ford, 25, walking near his home Aug. 11, reportedly because they believed he was trying to discard narcotics. Chief Charlie Beck will recommend to the civilian Police Commission the officers be cleared, while Inspector General Alex Bustamante will recommend faulting them, LAT reports.

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Julie Kliegman
Julie Kliegman

Julie Kliegman is a freelance writer based in New York. Her work has appeared in BuzzFeed, Vox, Mental Floss, Paste, the Tampa Bay Times and PolitiFact. Her cats can do somersaults.

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