Congresswoman Maxine Waters Lauds Inglewood Settlement with Families of Shooting Victims
March 25, 2010
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) issued the following statement on the decision by the City of Inglewood to settle with the families of the Mothers Day 2008 shooting victims, one of whom, Michael Byoune, died of his wounds:
"Today's settlement of $2.45 million is an important milestone for the families of Larry White, Charles Lark and especially Michael Byoune, who succumbed to his wounds that terrible day in 2008. However there are many unanswered questions about the policies, practices and supervision of the Inglewood Police Department.
In the span of three months, three young men – all unarmed – were killed at gunpoint by the officers of the department. In fact, the same officer involved in the death of Michael Byoune was involved in a second fatal shooting later that summer. I immediately called for a DOJ investigation into the policies and practices of the police department, which launched in March 2009. The investigation continues today.
The community has lost confidence in the Inglewood Police Department and there is a strong consensus that there must be change, discipline and better management and supervision.
I look forward to the continued DOJ investigation and a comprehensive report detailing how the police department can implement reforms to ensure that these kinds of incidents never occur again."
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"Today's settlement of $2.45 million is an important milestone for the families of Larry White, Charles Lark and especially Michael Byoune, who succumbed to his wounds that terrible day in 2008. However there are many unanswered questions about the policies, practices and supervision of the Inglewood Police Department.
In the span of three months, three young men – all unarmed – were killed at gunpoint by the officers of the department. In fact, the same officer involved in the death of Michael Byoune was involved in a second fatal shooting later that summer. I immediately called for a DOJ investigation into the policies and practices of the police department, which launched in March 2009. The investigation continues today.
The community has lost confidence in the Inglewood Police Department and there is a strong consensus that there must be change, discipline and better management and supervision.
I look forward to the continued DOJ investigation and a comprehensive report detailing how the police department can implement reforms to ensure that these kinds of incidents never occur again."
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Issues:
43rd District