LAPD Accused of Shooting, Killing Unarmed Black Man With Special Needs

A 25-year-old man with special needs, identified as Ezell Ford of South Los Angeles, was shot and killed by LAPD officers on Monday night. According to his family, Ford, who was held on an "investigative stop," was complying with police and also lying on the ground, unarmed, when officers opened fire.

According to reports, the incident occurred when Ezell was walking along a street near his home, and was stopped for investigative purposes. A news release by the Los Angeles Police Department says that the shooting occurred after officers conducted an investigative stop in the Newton Area of Los Angeles at around 8:30 p.m. Monday.

According to the LAPD, after Ezell was stopped, a struggle occurred, and the 25-year-old man, who is black, was shot three times.

Ezell was then transported to a nearby hospital, where he died from injuries related to the incident.

"During the stop a struggle ensued, which resulted in an officer-involved-shooting," the release says. "It is unknown if the suspect has any gang affiliations."

LAPD did not identify the victim, but a woman identifying herself as the victim's mother called KTLA and said the man involved was her son, Ezell Ford.

"My heart is so heavy. My son was a good kid. He didn't deserve to die," Tritobia Ford told the station.

"They laid him out and for whatever reason, they shot him in the back, knowing mentally, he has complications. Every officer in this area, from the Newtown Division, knows that - that this child has mental problems," said a man, who witnessed the shooting.

The witness declined to be identified by name, but also said that there was a show of excessive force during the shooting, which went much further than the show of guns. "The excessive force... there was no purpose for it. The multiple shootings in the back while he's laying down? No. Then when the mom comes out, they don't try to console her... they pull the billy clubs out."

According to the LAPD, the incident is under investigation.