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After a lengthy investigation, it was determined that Los Angeles police officers were justified in the shooting death of unarmed Black man, Ezell Ford. Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck and the LAPD’s independent watchdog group looked at evidence that would have put Ford at fault.

The Los Angeles Times, along with local and national outlets, reported on the findings last Friday (Jun. 5). There was not an official announcement made by the LAPD, but sources close to the investigation offered deeper details. The LAPD’s stance was that Ford attempted to take one of the officers’ gun in their August 11 confrontation, which led to his shooting death.

The LAPD’s Inspector General did find fault with how the officers approached the arrest of Ford, who they suspected was trying to discard drugs but found the rest of their actions acceptable.

More from The Los Angeles Times:

Alex Bustamante, the Los Angeles Police Department’s inspector general, found the shooting justified, but he faulted the officers for how they approached Ford in the moments leading up to the shooting, according to the sources.

LAPD officials have never offered an explanation for why the officers stopped the 25-year-old Ford, but the sources said that the officers told investigators they decided to detain him because they believed Ford was trying to discard narcotics as he walked. The department has never publicly said whether narcotics were found.

Bustamante concluded in his report to the Police Commission that it was unclear whether the officers’ observations were sufficient justification to approach Ford and then try to detain him, the sources said.

Scratches on Ford’s hands and on one of the officers hand confirmed there was a struggle at some point as noted in the police report. DNA from Ford was also found on the officer’s gun holster, perhaps confirming the account.

As reported by KTLA, protestors marched in South Los Angeles in response to the lack of charges in Ford death. Last year, other protests were ignited in Ford’s honor and in solidarity with similar cases often highlighted by the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

Photo: KTLA