FBI Probes Teen’s Death After Concert

The FBI is investigating the death of a college student from Fountain Valley who died after a struggle with Inglewood police at a Grateful Dead concert last month, authorities said Wednesday.

The inquiry was initiated last week to determine if Patrick Shanahan’s civil rights were violated Dec. 10 when officers used force to arrest him during the concert, FBI spokesman Fred Reagan said.

Reagan said the investigation was begun after at least one allegation that Shanahan’s rights were violated while he was in police custody. Reagan declined to say who lodged the complaint.

According to a recently released Los Angeles County coroner’s autopsy report, Shanahan died en route to the police station as a result of being restrained by a chokehold. The report also said the 19-year-old UC Santa Barbara student had a high level of LSD in his blood and had suffered many cuts and bruises over his body.

Officers have acknowledged using force against Shanahan, who they suspected was under the influence of drugs, but said it was necessary to defend themselves and subdue him.

The results of the FBI’s investigation will be sent to the U.S Justice Department in Washington, which will “determine whether any further activity is justified, and if so, what type of activity would be appropriate,” Reagan said.

Inglewood police had no comment Wednesday on the investigation.

Lawrence Trygstad, an attorney representing Shanahan’s family, welcomed the FBI probe. Trygstad said he has been contacted by FBI agents and has furnished them a list of people who say they witnessed Shanahan’s struggle with police.

“We’re cooperating with the investigation. . . . Patrick Shanahan was executed without a trial,” the lawyer said. “That’s a denial of his civil rights.”