Family of homeless man fatally shot in Venice sues LAPD chief, city

Amy Powell Image
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Family of homeless man fatally shot in Venice sues LAPD, city
Protesters rally at a police commission board meeting to demand justice for Brendon Glenn on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016.

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Attorneys representing the family of Brendon Glenn announced the filing of lawsuits against the city of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck alleging wrongful death and excessive force in his death.

The 29-year-old homeless man was shot and killed by an officer during a confrontation in Venice back in May of 2015.

LAPD officials have not released video of the incident. Protesters rallied at a police commission board meeting on Tuesday demanding justice.

After repeated outburst, several protesters were escorted out of the meeting by officers.

"I have spoken to someone who has seen that video and they said it graphically shows the shooting of Brendon Glenn in the back as he was unarmed lying face down on the ground," attorney James DeSimone said.

Beck has recommended that the officer who shot Glenn, Officer Clifford Proctor, be criminally charged.

"It didn't meet the standards that I hold my officers to and didn't meet the legal standard either," Beck said.

MORE: LAPD Chief Charlie Beck recommends charges for officer in Venice shooting

Investigators found that Glenn was on his stomach on the ground and trying to push himself up when Proctor fired twice, hitting him in the back, LAPD said.

Proctor's attorney said the officer saw Glenn reaching for his partner's gun. However, Beck said that after reviewing video, witness accounts and other evidence, investigators determined Glenn was not trying to take either Proctor's gun or his partner's weapon at the time of the shooting.

The Glenn family's attorneys said the LAPD needs to be held accountable.

"Chief Beck should be looking at the disciplinary system within his department that lets officers believe that they can just shoot people and they won't be punished for it," attorney John Raphing said.

The lawsuits against Beck and the city seek unspecified damages. When ABC7 reached out to the city, officials said they had no comment on the pending litigation.