After an investigation was launched, the ACLU deemed the shooting of a 27-year-old autistic man wrong. |
- Steven Eugene Washington, described by his family as autistic, was shot and killed by police officers on patrol.
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LOS ANGELES -- A rare step has been taken, the police commission overruled the police chief, saying that two police officers were wrong when they fatally shot an unarmed autistic man last year.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, the commission that overseas the Los Angeles Police Department, has rejected a recommendation from the department's chief.
After a lengthy internal investigation, Police Chief Charlie Beck concluded that the officers made serious tactical mistakes during the brief, late-night encounter, but ultimately were justified in using deadly force against Steven Eugene Washington, 27.
Washington's family drew sharp criticism of the shooting and said the man was autistic and fearful of strangers.
Both officers involved in the shooting, apparently fired, and a single bullet to the head killed Washington.
It was suggested by civil liberties groups, which questioned the shooting, that officers may have overreacted because they had not observed Washington doing anything criminal.
"We urge the LAPD to go beyond a one-time investigation examining the conduct of the officers, and take a broader look at changes in department policy and training that could help prevent such a tragedy from recurring," ACLU of Southern California Executive Director Ramona Ripston said in a statement prior to the investigation.
The officers involved were identified as Officers Allan Corrales and George Diego, who have nearly seven and eight years with the department, respectively.
It was unclear which officer fired the fatal shot, but both have been reassigned pending an investigation
His aunt and uncle said Washington was autistic and had learning disabilities. He was taking classes at a community college and wanted to be a mechanic, they said.
Washington was described as being like a 16-year-old intellectually.
"We want to know why. You're dealing with a 27 year old man who is autistic-- 27, but with the mind-frame of a 12 year old. He never carried a gun, he was never around guns, he wasn't violent. He was a kid," his aunt Vickie Thompson said shortly after the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the LAPD said it offered its condolences to the grieving family, but stood behind the two officers, whose decision had to be made in a matter of seconds.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, the commission that overseas the Los Angeles Police Department, has rejected a recommendation from the department's chief.
After a lengthy internal investigation, Police Chief Charlie Beck concluded that the officers made serious tactical mistakes during the brief, late-night encounter, but ultimately were justified in using deadly force against Steven Eugene Washington, 27.
Washington's family drew sharp criticism of the shooting and said the man was autistic and fearful of strangers.
Both officers involved in the shooting, apparently fired, and a single bullet to the head killed Washington.
It was suggested by civil liberties groups, which questioned the shooting, that officers may have overreacted because they had not observed Washington doing anything criminal.
"We urge the LAPD to go beyond a one-time investigation examining the conduct of the officers, and take a broader look at changes in department policy and training that could help prevent such a tragedy from recurring," ACLU of Southern California Executive Director Ramona Ripston said in a statement prior to the investigation.
The officers involved were identified as Officers Allan Corrales and George Diego, who have nearly seven and eight years with the department, respectively.
It was unclear which officer fired the fatal shot, but both have been reassigned pending an investigation
His aunt and uncle said Washington was autistic and had learning disabilities. He was taking classes at a community college and wanted to be a mechanic, they said.
Washington was described as being like a 16-year-old intellectually.
"We want to know why. You're dealing with a 27 year old man who is autistic-- 27, but with the mind-frame of a 12 year old. He never carried a gun, he was never around guns, he wasn't violent. He was a kid," his aunt Vickie Thompson said shortly after the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the LAPD said it offered its condolences to the grieving family, but stood behind the two officers, whose decision had to be made in a matter of seconds.
