A cousin of Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors has died following cardiac arrest after being shocked by Los Angeles police.
Body camera footage released by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) shows Keenan Anderson was arrested after running into the middle of a busy road on January 3.
He could be heard shouting “they are trying to kill me” over and over in the footage and at one point saying “they are trying to make me George Floyd”.
The police responded by saying, “Stop or design you.” A police officer with a Taser asked Anderson to roll over. Two more people were seen holding him on the ground.
He was stopped by the authorities after a traffic accident. The LAPD said in a statement that an officer showed him “irregular behavior” and that several people involved in the collision “pointed to Anderson to indicate that he caused the accident.”
Officers battled Anderson for “a few minutes” before delivering the shock, using their body weights, using “firm grips and joint locks to overcome his resistance.”
He was handcuffed and detained. There he received medical treatment and was then taken by ambulance to a local hospital.
He suffered a heart attack and died while in the hospital in Santa Monica.
Police said detectives from the LAPD’s Force Investigation Division went to the scene and were conducting an investigation.
Anderson was an English teacher and father at a Washington DC high school.
“My cousin was asking for help and he didn’t get it. He was killed,” BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors told the Guardian.
“No one deserves to die in fear, in panic, and in fear for their life.”
His school, Digital Pioneers Academy, said in a statement: “Keenan is the third member of our school community to be a victim of violence in the past 65 days.
“Our congregation is mourning. But we are also angry. I’m angry that another talented, beautiful nigger soul is gone too soon.
“Keenan was a deeply committed educator and father of a six-year-old son.”
A West Traffic Division engine officer has been alerted of the alleged collision that Anderson was involved in, near the Los Angeles main street, Venice Boulevard.
Police chief Michel Moore said at a press conference that Anderson committed a hit-and-run crime and tried to flee the scene by trying to “get into someone else’s car without their permission”.
The LAPD said the traffic officer observed Anderson “running in the middle of the street” and displaying “erratic behavior.”
“She contacted Officer Anderson, spoke to him verbally and requested additional units to investigate the DUI.
Anderson initially followed the officer’s orders and sat for a few minutes on the northeast corner of Venice and Lincoln Avenues while the officer spoke to him.
“When additional units arrived on the scene, Anderson suddenly tried to flee the area. Officers chased as Anderson ran east in the middle of the street on Venice Avenue. When officers contacted Anderson, he began to resist and consequently used force.
Anderson was then handcuffed and limped from his ankles. Shortly after Anderson was detained, Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) personnel responded to the scene and provided medical assistance.”
Mr. Anderson’s cause of death has not been officially determined.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she had “serious concerns” about the “extremely disturbing” police footage.
“The urgent need for change is clear. We have to reduce the use of force in general and I have absolutely no tolerance for excessive force.”