BLM Protests Erupt After Police Taser Kills Mentally Ill Black Man

"Killers!"

9.30.2016

Black Lives Matter protests have been shouting "Killers!" in Pasadena after a mentally ill black man armed with a knife and fire extinguisher died as a result of taser-induced cardiac arrest.

From Fox News:

Los Angeles County homicide detectives are investigating the death of a black man in Pasadena, and a witness says it occurred after a struggle with police.

A sheriff's statement says the death of the unidentified man occurred about 2 a.m. Friday but gives no details.

Shainie Lindsay tells KTLA-TV the man was the father of her children, bi-polar and had called police for help.

She says he had a knife and fire extinguisher, and did not respond to officers' orders to put them down because "he was out of it."

She says police used a stun gun on him twice. He dropped the extinguisher but a struggle followed with officers using batons and kicks to subdue him.

Officers tried to resuscitate him but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the Los Angeles Times, protesters have swarmed the apartments at Orange Grove Gardens shouting "Killers!" while screaming obscenities at local officers.

"What is the name of the officer who killed Reginald?" shouted Black Lives Matter demonstrator Jasmine Richards.

"Authorities have yet to identify the dead man," reports the Times, "but relatives and neighbors said he was Reginald Thomas, a father of eight who was known to many as Junior."

Friday afternoon, Pasadena Police Chief Phillip Sanchez issued a statement to the community, promising an investigation into the matter will take place while calling for peaceful protests.

"The loss of any life is always tragic and should be fully investigated. In that regard you have my commitment that all aspects of this incident will be reviewed," Sanchez said.