LAPD chief, citing video, faults officer in fatal shooting

John Bacon | USA TODAY

Los Angeles police officials will hold a town hall meeting tonight to discuss the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man by a police officer — caught on video — two days ago.

But the police union leader is angrily asserting that the police chief's verdict may already be in.

Brendon Glenn, 29, was shot outside a Venice bar after police were called about the homeless man and his dog harassing customers. Officers tried to detain Glenn, and a physical altercation ensued, Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said.

Last week the city Police Commission signed off on a plan to outfit every LAPD officer with a body camera. The officers involved weren't wearing them yet, but the confrontation was caught on security video.

After watching it, Beck said he was "very concerned" about the shooting.

"Any time an unarmed person is shot by a Los Angeles police officer, it takes extraordinary circumstances to justify," Beck said at a news conference Wednesday. "I have not seen extraordinary circumstances at this point."

Beck said the officer was injured and has not discussed the shooting with investigators. He added that the department "will expend all resources to find out the truth of what happened."

Beck's statements drew immediate fire from the officer's union. Craig Lally, president of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, said it was "completely irresponsible" for Beck to "render a judgment" so early in an investigation.

"The premature decision by the chief essentially renders the investigation process void," Lally said. "Additionally, by making his opinion public without having all of the facts, he influences the investigation for all parties involved, including his command officers and the public."

The shooting is the latest in a string of fatal encounters involving police, suspects — and video — in communities across the nation. In some cities — Ferguson, New York, Baltimore — sometimes violent protests have resulted. Thus far all is quiet in Los Angeles.

In Venice, Glenn was a staple on the boardwalk in the tony, eclectic community, one of a string of beach neighborhoods hugging Santa Monica about 20 miles west of downtown Los Angeles.

"Whatever reason that they had to shoot him, I don't think it was justified because he wasn't a confrontational human being by any means," local resident Henry Geller told KTLA-TV. "He was definitely like a peacemaker."

Some of Glenn's friends acknowledged that he struggled with personal demons.

Allison Holden, 23, who also is homeless, told the Los Angeles Times that Glenn "was a drinker. He has a drinking problem. But we all have problems."

Beck was not scheduled to attend Thursday night's town hall. LAPD Deputy Chief Beatrice Girmala and Inspector General Alexander Bustamante will be among department representatives.

Lally is pleading with the community not to rush to judgment.

"As in the criminal justice system, everyone is innocent until proven guilty," Lally said. "We encourage everyone to reserve judgment until the investigation has run its course, and the facts are collected and assessed."