Keenan Anderson, cousin of Black Lives Matter (BLM) co-founder Patrisse Cullors died earlier this month after police officers arrested him in Los Angeles. Keenan Anderson, the 31-year-old mature family man, and a school teacher, died at a hospital in Santa Monica on Jan. 3 following a struggle with police.
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has released body camera footage of the 3 January encounter. It shows Anderson being detained by multiple officers holding him down as he begs for his life shortly after a traffic collision. Moreover, the footage shows an officer appearing to have his elbow on Anderson’s neck as he is detained in the middle of the road.
“They’re trying to George Floyd me!” Keenan Anderson exclaimed, according to the video, referring to the Minneapolis man who was murdered by then-police officer Derek Chauvin in May 2020.
Another part of the video shows an officer using his Taser on Anderson twice, including one stretch. After Anderson was at last handcuffed and taken into custody. He was transferred by ambulance to a hospital in Santa Monica. It was there that he died after suffering cardiac arrest, according to a police news release.
The footage adds to pressure on the LAPD, whose encounters with black and brown men have resulted in three deaths in under a week. The footage adds to pressure on the LAPD, whose bad encounters with black and brown men. The encounters have resulted in three deaths in under a week. Takar Smith, 45, and Oscar Sanchez, 35, were both shot dead by officers at the start of January. The police department said it was investigating the three men’s deaths.
I have grave concerns about the deeply disturbing tapes that were released today. More in my statement below. My heart goes out to the families and loved ones who are mourning the loss of Takar Smith, Keenan Anderson, and Oscar Sanchez.”
Karen Bass-Los Angeles’ Mayor-Via Tweet
The police who Tasered Mr. Anderson were called to the scene at around 15:00 local time, to a reported traffic accident.
Mr. Anderson had committed a felony hit-and-run in a traffic collision, Police chief Michel Moore gave a statement in a press conference. He said that he had attempted to flee the scene by trying to “get into another person’s car without permission.
Footage shows Mr. Anderson in discomfort when the police arrive, telling the first officer “somebody is trying to kill me”. While there wasn’t any visible threat that appear on the footage.
Initially, Mr. Anderson sits down as per instruction but as more police arrive there, he gets up and runs into the street and ignoring requests to stop. When police reach Mr. Anderson and attempt to detain him. He is compliant, then he shouts “please” and “help” and “they’re trying to George Floyd me!”
The stun gun was initially used on Mr. Anderson for about 30 seconds after an officer warned him multiple times. “stop [resisting] or I’m going to tease you”. Other officers were holding him down. He is Tasered again for five more seconds.
According to police, an ambulance arrived about five minutes after he was Tasered and they brought Mr Anderson to a local hospital. He died about four-and-a-half hours later after going into cardiac arrest.
An LAPD report showed that Mr. Anderson’s blood tested positive for cannabis and cocaine. The Los Angeles County coroner’s office will conduct a separate report.
My cousin was asking for help, and he didn’t receive it. My cousin was scared for his life. He spent the last 10 years witnessing a movement challenging the killing of black people. He knew what was at stake and he was trying to protect himself. Nobody was willing to protect him.”
Patrisse Cullors-BLM co-founder-Keenan Anderson’ cousin
Ms. Cullors and others are calling for the LAPD police chief to resign.
Mr. Moore said he had expedited the release of the video footage of Mr Anderson due to public interest. It normally takes 45 days to release the footage.
