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.
The shooting, just two days after Michael Brown's in Ferguson, Missouri, triggered protests over police brutality against black men.