Advertisement

Jacob Blake’s lawyer retained by family of Black man shot, killed by L.A. deputies

Click to play video: 'Trump visits Kenosha, does not meet with Jacob Blake’s family'
Trump visits Kenosha, does not meet with Jacob Blake’s family
WATCH: Trump visits Kenosha, does not meet with Jacob Blake's family – Sep 1, 2020

The family of a Black bicyclist fatally shot by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies after he was stopped for a traffic violation has retained civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, who also represents the family of Wisconsin police shooting victim Jacob Blake.

Blake was shot in the back and paralyzed while 29-year-old Dijon Kizzee died in the Monday afternoon shooting in South Los Angeles. Blake’s shooting last month prompted large and violent protests in his hometown of Kenosha. There have been two smaller, peaceful protests for Kizzee.

“We stand with Dijon’s family in demanding justice and transparency into this despicable and tragic killing perpetrated by Los Angeles County officers,” Crump said in a statement Wednesday. “When officers shoot first and ask questions later, precious lives are lost and police lose credibility and trust from those they are sworn to protect.”

Story continues below advertisement

A Sheriff’s Department statement released Tuesday said deputies tried to stop Kizzee for riding his bicycle in violation of vehicle codes, but did not identify the alleged infraction.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Kizzee got off his bike and ran and the deputies momentarily lost sight of him.

When they caught up, Kizzee punched one deputy in the face and dropped a jacket along with a black semiautomatic handgun, according to the statement.

The shooting occurred when Kizzee “made a motion” toward the gun, the statement said.

Click to play video: 'Jacob Blake shooting: Rev. Jesse Jackson joins family’s call for officer who shot Blake to be indicted'
Jacob Blake shooting: Rev. Jesse Jackson joins family’s call for officer who shot Blake to be indicted

Family members described Kizzee as devoted to his late mother and 18-year-old brother. They said he was an energetic man who loved go-karts, cars and music, and was working toward a career in plumbing,

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the largest in the nation, does not have body cameras for deputies, though that soon will change. The county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved funding, and the first round of deputies will be equipped with cameras next month.

Story continues below advertisement

Sheriff Alex Villanueva offered his condolences to Kizzee’s family, which he said includes a cousin who is a member of the Sheriff’s Department.

Sponsored content

AdChoices