Outrage Over LAPD Killing of 13-Year-Old

Re “LAPD Speeds Policy on Shots at Vehicles,” Feb. 9: I sincerely believe Los Angeles citizens mourn the death of the child killed by the Los Angeles Police Department.

As an African American living in South-Central Los Angeles, this killing should be a referendum on why our youth are involved in such crimes, not yet another incident that divides our community.

Eric Ali

Los Angeles

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Instead of John Mack, president of the Urban League, and other black leaders pointing fingers at the LAPD for the shooting death of Devin Brown (Feb. 8), maybe they and the community should first answer why was a 13-year-old in a stolen car at 4 a.m.

It seems completely hypocritical of these leaders to point fingers at the LAPD rather than question the family of this youth, who should never have been in a stolen vehicle in the first place. The outrage should be directed toward people who let their kids roam the streets at 4 a.m.

James Westfield

Torrance

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The shooting death of a 13-year-old boy is a terrible thing. But so is the shooting death of a police officer. I can just imagine the danger a police officer faces when a car tries to ram a police car. What is the officer supposed to do?

When Rep. Maxine Waters tells The Times that this incident is reminiscent of Rodney King and urges the community to demand justice, I wonder, does she want the officer prosecuted, or does she want a fair investigation? If the officer is exonerated, what then? Should he be fired to prevent another riot, even if he did nothing wrong?

Clyde Feldman

Sherman Oaks

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In The Times on Feb. 8, Section A has a story about a child in Michigan who drives a car, causing property damage and ultimately hits a police car (“4-Year-Old Borrows the Car for Trip to Store”). All ends well with no charges filed and no shots fired. Cute story.

Section B has a story of a child in L.A. in a car, allegedly stolen, which bumps a police car and the child is shot to death by police. There is grief and pain in the hearts and faces of the community.

Both children were being followed by the police with very different endings. What went wrong in L.A.? We need drastic changes in policy, now.

Eric Saudi

Altadena