A day after Lemon County Supervisor Shawn Nelson sent a letter towards the Department of Justice's civil-rights department requesting a federal inquiry to the "facts and circumstances encircling the death of Kelly Thomas as a result of the Fullerton Police Division, " FBI officials confirmed they have opened an investigation.
Thomas, thirty seven, a homeless man with mental issues recognized to frequent downtown Fullerton, died several days following a confrontation with six cops.
One of the officers has become on administrative leave. As the five other officers possess since returned to energetic duty, Fullerton police Chief Erina Sellers on Friday night temporarily reassigned them from front-line patrol duties.
"In additional words, they are no longer working the streets, " Fullerton law enforcement Sgt. Andrew Goodrich stated. "The chief said that with regard to public trust and self-confidence, and in the best interest from the investigation, he made these types of reassignments. "
Officers confronted Thomas upon July 5 while investigating reports of the man burglarizing cars close to a bus depot. Police say Thomas grew to become violent as two officers tried to find him, kicking off a fight by which six officers were required to subdue him. Thomas experienced severe head and neck of the guitar injuries.
Thomas was removed life support several times after his confrontation along with police. An autopsy had been inconclusive, with Orange County Coroner's Office officials saying they have to carry out further tests to look for the cause of Thomas' passing away.
Police initially said 2 officers had broken bones following the fight. The officers were later identified as having soft-tissue damage after these were re-examined, Goodrich said.
Thomas' members of the family accuse officers of utilizing excessive force during what they referred to as a "brutal beating. inch Ron Thomas, Kelly Thomas' dad, has said police defeat his son to death and it has circulated a picture associated with his son's bruised as well as bloody face.
The image photo, as well since the online posting of the cell-phone video that seems to show the fight, has taken widespread attention to the actual incident.
In the movie, the sound of a Taser could be heard, along with Kelly Thomas screaming after which yelling, "Dad!... Dad!... Father! "
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