West Traffic In-Custody Death (ICD) NRF002-23rc

June 2, 2023                                                                                                  

UPDATE

 This afternoon, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office released their findings for the in-custody death of Keenan Anderson.

Incorporating these findings, the Los Angeles Police Department’s Force Investigation Division will continue to investigate this incident, under the oversight of personnel from the independent Office of the Inspector General.

Once this administrative investigation is complete, our Critical Incident Review Division will review the completed investigation and evaluate the officers’ actions for consistency with the Department’s use of force policy.

A report with these findings will be forwarded to the Chief of Police and the Office of the Inspector General, who will then make independent recommendations for adjudication to the Civilian Board of Police Commissioners. Presentation to the Police Commissioners is expected to take place in August, at which time a final determination will be made for the necessity and appropriateness of both the force and tactics used.

Additionally, as with all Categorical Uses of Force, this case will be presented to Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for their review.

The Department’s guiding principle in all encounters is Reverence for Human Life, and no loss of life is ever taken lightly for us as a Department or in the communities we serve.  We extend our condolences to the Anderson family as they continue to grieve and process this new information.

January 23, 2023

UPDATE

At the direction of Chief Moore, additional body-worn video footage from the incident can be viewed below.

January 9, 2023

UPDATE

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and rendered aid to Anderson for the Taser Deployment. Anderson was then transported to a local hospital. While at the hospital and after several hours following the use of force, Anderson experienced a medical emergency, did not respond to life saving efforts by medical staff and was pronounced deceased

January 6, 2023

On January 3, 2023, at around 3:38 p.m., a West Traffic Division motor officer was flagged down for a traffic collision in the area of Venice Boulevard and Lincoln Boulevard in Pacific Area. He observed a male, later identified as Keenan Anderson, running in the middle of the street and exhibiting erratic behavior. Several citizens involved in the traffic collision motioned to Anderson, indicating that he caused the accident. The officer contacted Anderson, verbalized with him, and requested additional units for a DUI investigation. Anderson initially followed the officer’s commands and sat at the northeast corner of Venice and Lincoln Boulevard for several minutes as the officer spoke with him.

As additional units arrived at scene, Anderson suddenly attempted to flee the location. Officers gave chase as Anderson ran eastbound in the middle of the street on Venice Boulevard. As officers contacted Anderson, he began to resist, resulting in a use of force. Officers struggled with Anderson for several minutes, utilizing a TASER, bodyweight, firm grips, and joint locks to overcome his resistance.

Anderson was subsequently handcuffed and hobbled at the ankles. Shortly after Anderson was taken into custody, Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) personnel responded to the scene and rendered medical aid for deployment of the TASER. Anderson was transported via a rescue ambulance (RA) to a local hospital in the City of Santa Monica. While at the hospital, Anderson went into cardiac arrest and was pronounced deceased.

One officer received minor abrasions to his hands during the use of force.

Detectives from Force Investigation Division responded to the scene and are investigating this incident.