Protesters gather at OC home of off-duty LAPD officer who scuffled with teens in 2017

Friday, January 26, 2018
Protesters gather at OC home of off-duty LAPD officer who fought w/ teens
A protest was planned in front of a Los Angeles police officer's home in Anaheim after it was determined he would not face charges for firing his weapon during a scuffle with teens last year.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (KABC) -- A protest was planned in front of a Los Angeles police officer's home in Anaheim after it was determined he would not face charges for firing his weapon during a scuffle with teens last year.

Anaheim police were near the home to monitor the protest in case anything got out of control.

"We want to tell people that the Anaheim Police Department respects everybody's right to First Amendment speech. However, if they're going to come here, they need to do so in a lawful manner," Sgt. Daron Wyatt said. "If someone blocks traffic, or engages in acts of vandalism, or violence then we are going to take swift and decisive enforcement action."

The protest stemmed from the Orange County District Attorney's decision not to file any criminal charges against Kevin Ferguson, who was off-duty when he and several teens got into a scuffle on his front lawn last February.

The group of teens walked on his grass and at some point, he tried to detain a 13-year-old boy. The scuffle was caught on cellphone video. During the 16-minute confrontation, punches and kicks were thrown and then Ferguson drew his gun and fired into the ground.

The district attorney said not enough evidence was found to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime was committed. Ferguson was also evaluated as a private citizen, not as a police officer, the D.A. said.

During a press conference to announce no charges would be made, the D.A. did say Ferguson's decision was "unwise and immature," but not criminal.

When the incident first happened, violent protests and acts of vandalism took place in front of Ferguson's home and in the neighborhood. Several arrests were made.

Ferguson is also facing a civil lawsuit filed by the family of the 13-year-old boy, as well as an investigation with the LAPD.