Cousin Of Black Lives Matter Founder Dies After Being Repeatedly Tased By Police
31-year-old Keenan Anderson died on Jan. 3, 2023, about four and a half hours after he was repeatedly tased by the Los Angeles Police Department.
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On Jan. 3, 2023, Keenan Anderson, a 31-year-old Black school teacher and father from Washington, DC, died after he went into cardiac arrest following a violent encounter with the police in Los Angeles. NPR reports that he was trying to get help with a traffic accident when he was chased, restrained, and tased.
This is one of three fatalities caused by the Los Angeles Police Department’s force this year. Takar Smith, 45, and Oscar Sanchez, 35, were shot and killed by LAPD officers in early January.
On. Jan. 3 around 3:38 p.m., a police officer was flagged down for a traffic collision. Anderson was running in the middle of the street and police alleged he was “exhibiting erratic behavior”. Some people at the scene alleged that Anderson caused the accident, and police spoke to Anderson at first while he sat on a street corner.
When additional police cars arrived, Anderson reportedly tried to flee in apparent fear. Police chased him and confronted him.
Since Anderson’s death, the LAPD released video footage that shows the violent arrest. In the disturbing footage, Anderson can be seen pleading for his life.
Democracy Now released the dialogue transcript, which revealed Anderson’s pleas:
Keenan Anderson: “They’re trying to George Floyd me. They’re trying to George Floyd me.”
Police officer 1: “Stop it. Stop it, or I’m going to tase you. OK? Stop it, or I’m going to tase you.”
Police officer 2: “Stop resisting.”
Police officer 1: “Stop it, or I’m going to tase you.”
Police officer 2: “Stop resisting.”
Keenan Anderson: “Please.”
Police officer 2: “Stop resisting.”
Keenan Anderson: “Please. Please! Please!”
One police officer then tased Anderson with a stun gun for nearly 30 seconds as officers held him down and another stunned him for about five more seconds. According to a police report, “a TASER, bodyweight, firm grips, and joint locks” were used in the arrest. An ambulance arrived approximately five minutes after he was tased and took him to the hospital in Santa Monica, where he died about four and a half hours later.
Anderson was the cousin of Patrisse Cullors, the co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, and she told The Guardian, “My cousin was scared for his life. He spent the last 10 years witnessing a movement challenging the killing of Black people. He knew what was at stake and he was trying to protect himself. Nobody was willing to protect him.”
Also, referring to her cousin’s death after her tireless efforts as an activist and co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, Cullors told NPR, "I've been challenging law enforcement for the last 22 years, but I've never had someone this close in my family be killed by the police. It's a devastating reality that any one of us could be impacted by the crisis that is the U.S. police system. We have to do something."
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass released a statement in which she called for the officers involved to be placed on immediate leave.
Rep. Barbara Lee of California addressed the situation in a tweet, stating, “I am outraged and heartbroken for Keenan. A dedicated father and beloved high school teacher, senselessly murdered by the police. Systemic injustice demands systemic reform. Congress must pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to hold police accountable.”
On Saturday, Jan. 14, a vigil in Keenan Anderson’s memory was held in Venice. A GoFundMe account has been set up to cover Anderson’s funeral and memorial expenses.
