Autopsy report in LAPD shooting of Ezell Ford to be released Monday

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Autopsy results for Ezell Ford, an unarmed man who was shot to death by LAPD in August, are expected to be released Monday.

Ford, 25, was shot in an encounter with LAPD officers in South L.A. on Aug. 11 near his home on the 200 block of West 65th Street. Family members say Ford was mentally challenged and harmless.

Officers Sharlton Wampler and Antonio Villegas were identified as the two officers involved. Both were assigned to the Newton Division gang enforcement detail during the incident.

Police said Ford was resisting arrest and was shot when he tried to remove an officer's handgun from its holster during a struggle. Witnesses dispute that account of the incident. Some witnesses told reporters Ford was face-down on the ground when he was shot.

Ford later died at a local hospital. No officers were injured.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck has previously said the reasons why Ford was stopped and why officers failed to use a Taser are under investigation.

The autopsy has been on security hold by LAPD request. Meanwhile, community leaders spoke out at the corner of 65th Street and Broadway Sunday, where Ford was killed. They say the long delay in releasing the report has raised a lot of suspicion.

"When you hold a report, it raises suspicions, even though we understand what the the LAPD says is their reasons, still, it raises suspicions that this is not gonna be fair, objective," said Earl Ofari Hutchinson of the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable.

The shooting has prompted numerous protests across the city questioning the use of excessive force. A rally will be held at Leimert Park following the release of Ford's autopsy report Monday.