Anthony McClain
Anthony McClain, 32, was fatally shot in Pasadena, California, on Aug. 15, 2020. He had been a passenger in a vehicle that was pulled over because its front license plate was missing. Pasadena Police Officer asked McClain to get out of the car. After doing so, McClain kicks off his shoes and runs away from the officer.
Police say McClain grabbed a gun from his waistband and turned toward the officer. The police videos do not show the weapon. McClain’s family said he was actually reaching toward his belt buckle. They strongly dispute a gun later recovered across the street was McClain’s.
The officer fired two shots at McClain while he was running away. One bullet grazed his shoulder and the other hit him in the back, fatally wounding him hours later. In March 2020 McClane’s family lawyer released a video that shows an officer putting his knee on McClain’s back.
McClain’s family has filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Pasadena, the police department, its police chief and the officer. The civil suit is pending as the shooting remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
In May 2021, the family of Anthony McClain, a Black man who was shot in the back by police in Pasadena, California, last August, held a rally to demand accountability in the case. The lawsuit is still pending with the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. In June 2021, councilman during council meeting has made the request, along with a demand that the city manager fire the officer who shot McClain.
MASS MEDIA ABOUT THE CASE:
The Pasadena Police Department released a formal statement which said: «We are unable to comment publicly or refute the claims made earlier today by attorney Ben Crump, although the fact is that a handgun was found, and Mr. McClain’s DNA was found on the handgun».
«He could have gotten on the radio and cordoned the area off and perhaps got him in custody without perhaps shots being fired» – Williams said.
CASE STATUS:
The initiative group has requested the clarification from US President Joseph Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland. The initiative group believes it is important to fight against police brutality and, if necessary, will provide legal and financial assistance to the family of the victim.
