Rap Video Threat to LAPD Over Ezell Ford Shooting Death Prompts Warning From Union [With Video]

A music video response by the cousin of Ezell Ford, the unarmed black man fatally shot in South Los Angeles by LAPD officers, has prompted the LAPD police union to call for police to be on heightened alert, as they are concerned for officers' safety.

The music video, which was posted on social media August 15, is entitled “F*** tha Police,” an obvious riff on the 1988 N.W.A. song, and is led by Ford's cousin, Ceebo tha Rapper. The song calls police “the enemy” and “KKK in the flesh.”

On the video, relatives and supporters of Ford are shown, along with footage of the news coverage of Ford's death, as they rap and raise their hands and their middle fingers at the camera. Most of the video's participants are wearing shirts emblazoned with the logo “Save Black Boys.”

“When they killed Ez’, they should have killed me,” the lyrics state.

In an email to union members sent out Thursday, the Los Angeles Police Protective League board stated that the video was made by a “street gang,” and stated that it called for revenge for Ford’s death.

“In light of the video and obvious threats against the police, ALL officers should be aware of this video and are advised to be on heightened alert and pay extra attention to your tactics and surroundings,” the email stated.

"He says, 'F the police,' which generally is not an endearing phrase," said Tyler Izen, the president of the Los Angeles Police Protective League. "And then everybody in there, while they're singing and chanting and dancing, simulate a pistol with their hands and they're pointing them at the camera. What is one to assume from that?"

League President Tyler Izen has spoken out against the video, saying that it's violent and puts a damper on society.

“It’s not good for society, it’s not good for the community and it’s no way to avenge anybody’s death or pay tribute to somebody who’s been lost,” Izen said.

In response to the purported threat, the Los Angeles Police Department has added more uniformed patrol, and has stopped using single-officer units, according to Officer Drake Madison.

Ford was near 65th Street and Broadway and complying with officers’ orders when he was shot in the back while lying down, according to family members, who described him as having “mental problems.” The death has prompted multiple protests and calls for the officers involved to be held accountable.

According to the LAPD, after Ezell was stopped on the street and a struggle occurred. During the alleged altercation, 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," a press release from LAPD says. "The suspect was transported to a local hospital and after lifesaving efforts he succumbed to his injuries."

Ford's family has stated that he suffered from a form of mental illness.

An eyewitness told The Huffington Post that he heard an officer yelling "shoot him" in the moments before Ford was shot three times.

According to the HuffPo, Leroy Hill said he was an eyewitness to the shooting Monday night, and confirmed that he heard three shots.

"He wasn't a gang banger at all," Hill said. "I was sitting across the street when it happened. So as he was walking down the street, the police approached him, whatever was said I couldn't hear it, but the cops jumped out of the car and rushed him over here into this corner. They had him in the corner and were beating him, busted him up, for what reason I don't know he didn't do nothing. The next thing I know I hear a 'pow!' while he's on the ground. They got the knee on him. And then I hear another 'pow!' No hesitation. And then I hear another 'pow!' Three times."