Imperial Courts housing project statement
Contact: Eric Rose (805) 624-0572
or Paul Haney (626) 755-4759
Los Angeles, October 12, 2010 -- The Coalition for Community Control Over the Police has called for a independent investigation into last week's officer involved shooting in the Imperial Courts housing project.
The incident began when Southeast Area gang enforcement officers were on patrol in the housing development near 114th Street and Grape Street when they encountered three known gang members, all of whom were on foot. Immediately upon seeing the officers, one of the men, later identified as James Davis, changed his direction and quickly moved toward an unidentified female. The officers stopped to investigate the gang activity and the suspicious movements displayed by Davis. In response, Paul M. Weber, president of the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) issued the following statement:
Mr. Davis pushed the female toward the officers and began to run away. As the officers gave chase, they noticed that Davis appeared to be grasping at or about. his waistband area. While attempting to elude the officers on foot, Davis displayed a semi-automatic handgun and pointed it toward the officers. As a result, an LAPD officer fired his weapon striking Davis, who then fell to the ground. The officers immediately called for medical assistance. Davis was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol was recovered at the scene.
Mr. Davis's death was a result of his own actions, which threatened the lives of our officers. Apparently, this community coalition wants to skip over the most obvious question: Why does it expect that someone who places an officer in a life-threatening position, by pointing a gun, will not force the officer to respond with deadly force in self-defense? This shooting could have been easily avoided. Mr. Davis should not have been carrying a fully loaded semi-automatic pistol. He should not have run. He should not have drawn and pointed the pistol. Had he refrained from any of these things, the officer would not have had to take action in self defense and Mr. Davis would be alive today.
About the LAPPL: Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents the more than 9,900 dedicated and professional sworn members of the Los Angeles Police Department. The LAPPL serves to advance the interests of LAPD officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education. The LAPPL can be found on the Web at www.LAPD.com.
