Pasadena Vice Mayor Calls for Firing of Officer Who Killed Anthony McClain

During Monday’s council meeting, Vice Mayor Tyron Hampton called for the immediate firing of the Pasadena police officer involved in Anthony McClain’s shooting death.

A deeplypassionate Hampton pleaded with his colleagues to be transparent andaccountable in this investigation.

“As itrelates to video, I didn’t see the footage before it was released … the youngman was shot in the back. That shiny silver object [seen in the video] couldhave been his belt buckle. There was no guarantee it was a gun at that point.”

Hamptoncontinued, “The involved officer’s body worn camera was off… he had plenty oftime to turn on the BWC. Why was [McClain] shot in back?”

Two shotswere fired and one bullet was found in a nearby home, which Hampton pointed outcould easily have killed someone in that house.

“Why has henot been fired? Put on leave?” The vice mayor questioned City Manager

Steve Mermellwho refused to comment on the matter citing ongoing investigations andpersonnel rights. Councilmember John Kennedy also was deeply concerned as to whythe city manager would not disclose the disposition of the officers involved. “It’sinappropriate.  I fully support the vicemayor’s concerns and demands,” Kennedy said. “We need to know the status ofthese officers,” he concluded.

Vice MayorHampton concluded that he was extremely disappointed. “This young man was shotin the back because his friend did not have a license plate on his car. Thatyoung man could be me, my nephew my neighbor. We have to hold the policeaccountable. Fire this officer,” Hampton said.

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