Youth Dies After Fighting With Police in Drug Raid

A 16-year-old youth died after fighting with police officers who had raided a South-Central Los Angeles cocaine “rock house” Monday afternoon, authorities said Tuesday.

An autopsy has been scheduled today to determine the cause of death of Cory Robinson of Los Angeles, a spokesman for the coroner’s office said.

Police spokeswoman Marjie Mastro said that officers did not apply a carotid restraint or any of the so-called upper-body “chokeholds” in subduing Robinson, who was “immediately combative” after officers ordered him from the attic of the house at 549 West 109th Place. The Police Commission has banned officers from using such holds unless their lives are threatened.

After handcuffing Robinson, officers noticed that he was having difficulty breathing, and they then applied cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Robinson was taken by ambulance to Century Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 5:37 p.m., about an hour after the raid began.

Police raided the reinforced house shortly after an undercover officer made a cocaine purchase on the premises, Mastro said. After the occupants refused to let police enter, officers used a hand-held battering ram to go through a door and make the arrests.

Three suspects were arrested in a bedroom, and Robinson and another suspect were flushed from the attic, the spokeswoman said.

Booked on charges of selling cocaine were Byron Neil, 19, John C. Williams, 19, and Tommy L. Buckner, 18, and a 16-year-old youth. Cocaine, cash and a loaded .357 magnum pistol were seized as evidence, she said.