The Huntington Park Police Department on Monday released 911 calls and surveillance video related to the fatal police shooting of Anthony Lowe, a double amputee who was out of his wheelchair when officers opened fire.
The Jan. 26 incident has sparked protests and raised serious questions about police use of force. Police were responding to a report that Lowe allegedly stabbed a man and initially said they shot Lowe when he attempted to throw a knife at them.
“I emphasize that by releasing this video and other recordings, it is with the goal of advancing full disclosure and transparency of the events that transpired from beginning to end,” Huntington Park Police Chief Cosme Lozano said Monday.
Lozano said he would not answer questions from the media nor attempt to analyze any of the video or audio that was being released. He said the department was cooperating with the LA County Sheriff’s Department, which is handling the investigation.
Family members said through an attorney that Lowe’s mother, Dorothy Lowe, called 911 on the morning of the shooting to report that he was having a mental health crisis.
“And they turned to Dorothy and said, ‘of course, he’s having a hard time. He lost his legs four months ago,’” the attorney, Annee Della Donna, said. “And then they told her, let him out, let him get some air, and she did. And then these officers shot him in the back 11 times when there were multiple less lethal methods that they had in their vehicles that they could have.”
The 911 tapes released by Huntington Park Police Department did not include a call from Dorothy Lowe. LAist is seeking the release of any additional tapes.
Cosme said…
Read the full article here