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Pasadena Police Shooting Raises More Questions
Pasadena Independent Mar 29, 2012
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The parents of the 19 year old who was killed by the Pasadena Police; Anya Slaughter and Kenneth McDade spoke at the press conference at NAACP headquarters in Pasadena Wednesday afternoon. Pictured with the parents is attorney Caree Harper. Joe Brown NAACP President was also at the press conference – Photo by Terry Miller
Pasadena Police Shooting Raises More Questions
Attorney for Family of Victim Says 911 Caller Should be Arrested
On March 24, 2012 at 11:04 pm, Pasadena Police Officers responded to a call of an armed robbery that just occurred at Summit Avenue and Orange Grove Blvd. The victim allegedly followed two male suspects while calling the police on his cell phone and providing direction of travel and description of the suspects saying they had a gun.
Two officers arrived in the area and observed one suspect running near Fair Oaks Avenue and Orange Grove Blvd.
The officers pursued the suspect north on Sunset Avenue from Orange Grove Blvd and during their attempt to detain him, an Officer Involved Shooting occurred. The suspect, whose identity was initially unknown, was transported to local area hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
McDade and the teen split up. The suspected accomplice was later arrested and was charged Tuesday with two felony counts of commercial burglary, one felony count of grand theft property and one misdemeanor count of failing to register as a gang member, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Reports vary slightly but essentially but most agree that one officer fired a shot from the police car and the other officer may have fired the 7 other shots at the 19n year old Asuza man. Until the police report is made available, nothing is confirmed.
The suspect has been identified as Kendrec Lavelle McDade, Black male-20, Azusa resident. Detectives notified the family at the hospital and the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Investigator responded and took possession of the body.
Attorney Caree Harper, who represents the family of a 19 year old shot to death by Pasadena police last Saturday, held a press conference Wednesday afternoon at NAACP Pasadena headquarters. Harper said she believes the 911 caller who implicated Kendrec McDade in an armed robbery was actually lying to get a faster police response.
Harper indicated that she’d like a federal civil rights investigation of the incident, revealed the names of the police officers she said were involved in the incident, but stopped short of saying she has seen police report.
During the NAACP press conference the Pasadena Police dept issued a press release stating there would be a police press conference at 4:30.
NAACP's Joe Brown at the Press Conference - Photo by Terry Miller
Many Community leaders in Pasadena are now seeking more answers in the officer involved shooting of Kendrec Lavelle McDade, 19, of Azusa. A closed door meeting was held with police officials and clergy Tuesday however, the publisher of Pasadena Journal was allowed in the meeting for some unknown reason (see story on page 8).
It has been reported that as many as 10 shots may have been fired at McDade and the cornorer has not released the findings of the autopsy as of press time. However, the attorney for the McDade family and the 17 year old who survived, Caree Harper, said Police Chief Sanchez told her that 8 bullets were fired.
The weapon allegedly used by McDade or his 17-year-old suspected accomplice has not been recoved according to the latest reports from the dept.
The former Fooball player from Azusa High, McDade was shot and killed on Sunset Avenue just north of Orange Grove Boulevard after a foot pursuit by two Pasadena police officers. The officers belived that McDade was about to pull a weapon on them, hence the reason for the shooting. The names of the officers involved have not been released as is often the case in these intances.
The family of Mc Dade has retained attorney Caree Harper who spoke with the Pasadena Independent prior to a press conference being held at Pasadena’s NAACP and said she believes there are just “ too many killings of black men in Pasadena.”
The parents of Kendrec Lavelle McDade, Anya Slaughter and Kenneth McDade were visibly in shock and Ms. Slaughter said she had just given birth to another child just 7 days prior to her son being killed. “ I had to return to Huntington Hospital just 7 days after I gave birth to one child to identify the body of another.” Slaughter said.
Attorney Caree Harper said that she believes that officers Griffin and Newland were the officers involved and that she believes Griffin fire4d from the police car at McDade. This has yet to be confirmed by the PD.
Harper said that she believes after her initial; investigation that the 911 called lied about the suspects having any weapon and did so just to get faster police response.
The attorney also said the parents are still in shock with in incident and haven’t decided yet on any further legal action against the city.
A 17-year-old, who has not been identified, was arrested as part of the incident Saturday night. He was booked on suspicion of murder even though he didn’t shoot McDade. The law states that a suspect in this situation caused the death of another. The charges have since been reduced and the murder charge dropped. However the 17 year old could possibly be tried as an adult.
Joe Brown, President of the NAACP said that a community meeting is going to take place Saturday at Jackie Robinson Community Center. The time will be announced later, but probably will take palce in the morning, he said.
Anyone having information regarding the robbery or shooting is asked to contact the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241.
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