Black Lives Matter co-founder’s cousin dies after being blasted with a Taser by L.A. police
Teacher and cousin of Black Lives Matter founder ‘Tased to death’ by LAPD
The cousin of Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors has died after being repeatedly tasered by a Los Angeles police officer following a traffic accident.
The incident happened on January 3rd and involved Los Angeles resident Keenan Darnell Anderson. The police department released footage of Anderson’s arrest on Wednesday.
Police said Anderson was involved in the crash and attempted to flee the scene. Cullors told NBC News that her cousin called the police and asked for help.
“And not once did any of the intervening police officers listen to him,” she said in the phone call.
Anderson, 31, who is black, died at a hospital after suffering a medical emergency about four and a half hours after his arrest, Kelly Muñiz, a police spokeswoman, said in a video statement.
The situation began around 3:35 p.m. when a Los Angeles police officer was cited for a traffic accident, Muñiz said. Witnesses directed the officer to Anderson, who “they said caused the vehicle accident,” she said.
Dashcam video shows Anderson in the middle of the street. “Please help me,” he told the officer before running away.
The officer tells Anderson to “step aside,” the video shows. In response, Anderson says that someone is trying to kill him.
Anderson eventually makes it to the sidewalk and throws his hands in the air. “I didn’t mean to,” he told the officer.
The officer instructs Anderson to stand against the wall, the video shows. Anderson instead drops to his knees and puts his hands behind his head.
“Please. Please, sir, I didn’t mean to, sir. Please. Please. I’m sorry,” Anderson says, according to the footage.
Anderson tells the officer he lost his key and had someone fix his car. After Anderson says again that someone is trying to kill him, the officer asks who he’s talking about.
“I had a stunt today,” Anderson replies. “I had a stunt today, sir. I need to. Like, no, no, no.”
Muñiz said Anderson remained on the ground for several minutes.
“However, as more officers arrived, Anderson suddenly attempted to flee the scene by running into the middle of the street,” she said in the video.
