LOS ANGELES _ Prosecutors have concluded that Los Angeles police officers were legally justified in shooting a homeless man last year on skid row, a videotaped killing that attracted international attention and renewed the local debate over interactions between police and L.A.'s homeless population.
The district attorney's office found that the officers _ Sgt. Chand Syed and Officers Francisco Martinez and Daniel Torres _ reasonably believed that Charly Leundeu Keunang posed a lethal threat during the March 1, 2015, shooting. Their decision was outlined in a 22-page memo obtained Thursday by the Los Angeles Times.
Prosecutors said video from a body camera worn by the sergeant showed that Keunang had wrapped his fingers around the butt of a rookie officer's holstered gun while wrestling with police, saying he was "rapidly gaining control" of the weapon. Even if he didn't have complete control of the gun, they wrote, it could have easily fired as the struggle continued.
The officers "acted lawfully in self-defense and in defense of others," prosecutors wrote in the Nov. 9 memo explaining why they were not charging the officers. "Keunang posed a high likelihood of killing officers and civilians at the very instant that he was shot."
It is rare for prosecutors to charge law enforcement officers in connection with on-duty shootings. The L.A. County district attorney's office hasn't pursued charges in such a case since 2000.
The death of Keunang, a 43-year-old Cameroonian national known on skid row as "Africa," was seen around the world after a bystander posted video of the shooting on Facebook, drawing millions of views. The recording shows police struggling with Keunang on the ground before at least five gunshots echo loudly.
The shooting underscored the challenges police face when patrolling the sprawling tent encampments of skid row, where mental illness and drug use are common. It also renewed complaints among those who live on skid row and their advocates, who have long accused police of too quickly resorting to heavy-handed tactics.
Nevertheless, after reviewing the video and other evidence, the Police Commission decided earlier this year that the officers did not violate the LAPD's rules for using deadly force. The panel did, however, fault the rookie cop _ Joshua Volasgis _ for failing to maintain control of his gun and baton.
The events leading up to Keunang's death began when someone called 911 and reported an attempted robbery and assault along South San Pedro Street, authorities said. There, the caller identified Keunang as the suspect, telling officers he had also threatened him with a baseball bat.
Keunang became aggressive during the encounter, according to reports from the LAPD's chief and inspector general made public earlier this year. He clenched his fists and raised his voice, ignoring commands from officers and repeating, "Let me express myself."
The officers repeatedly warned Keunang that they would use a Taser on him if he did not calm down, the reports said.
At one point, Keunang walked back into his tent. Two sergeants pulled the tent open as Keunang grabbed a cellphone from inside. One officer then used a Taser, the reports said, but it didn't appear to have an effect.
Instead, Keunang charged an officer and began swinging his arms, the reports said. One officer punched Keunang in the face, and he was taken to the ground. A Taser was used on Keunang again.
At some point, the rookie officer said, he felt Keunang grab his holstered pistol. "He's got my gun," the officer yelled. "My gun, he's got my gun."
Keunang was stuck by gunfire six times, according to his autopsy report. His family has filed a federal lawsuit against the city and the officers, accusing police of using excessive force.
