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News > World

Lawsuit Filed Against Off-Duty LAPD Officer Who Fired Gun at Teens in Anaheim

  • Activists hold signs during a silent protest against police brutality.

    Activists hold signs during a silent protest against police brutality. | Photo: Reuters

Published 10 March 2017
Opinion

The family of the teenager in a video that showed an off-duty police officer firing his gun into a crowd of young teenagers has decided to take action. 

A teenage boy who was grabbed by an off-duty police officer in a videotaped argument last month has filed a lawsuit with his parents against the officer for violating the boy's civil rights and causing him emotional distress. The video, which showed the officer firing his gun into the crowd of teenagers, caused outrage and sparked protests after it spread on social media. 

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13-year old Christian Dorscht was walking home from school with friends Feb. 21 when he decided to stand up for his female friend who was verbally assaulted by off-duty Los Angeles cop Kevin J. Ferguson for traversing his lawn.

Dorscht yelled that he would “sue” the officer. Ferguson allegedly heard “shoot” and dragged the young man by his collar across his yard before firing his gun toward the crowd of young people.

When police arrived on the scene, they discussed the incident with the off-duty officer and arrested Dorscht, who has been charged with a misdemeanor. He was taken to juvenile detention but was released shortly after. A fundraiser was set up to help his family pay for legal costs. The police officer has been placed on administrative leave as the incident is investigated.

By the following evening, fiery protests broke out in Anaheim, with the crowd drawing to about 300 people, all calling attention to the unfair treatment of the young teens by the cops.

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"The ACLU of Southern California is deeply disturbed by reports that an off-duty Los Angeles Police Department officer fired his gun during a dispute with teenagers he accused of walking on his property at his Anaheim residence,” Jennifer Rojas, community engagement and policy advocate at the ACLU of Southern California, said in a statement the day after the incident.

“The ACLU calls on the LAPD to investigate the matter fully and take appropriate action in regard to the officer. It also calls on the Anaheim Police Department to provide a full explanation of why, in an altercation between the police officer and youths, the youths were arrested but not the officer who fired his gun," she continued.

"An officer, even off-duty, has an obligation to follow the law and protect public safety, rather than threaten it. The LAPD officer's actions on the video are grossly irresponsible," Rojas said.

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