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Black Lives Matter founder’s cousin dies after being Tased in police arrest

A cousin of Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors has died following a cardiac arrest after he was Tasered by Los Angeles police.

Keenan-Anderson-BlackLivesMatter-LAPDBodyCAM.PNG© LAPD

Bodycam footage released by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) shows Keenan Anderson being arrested after he ran into the middle of a busy road on January 3.

He could be heard yelling “they’re trying to kill me” multiple times and at one point said “they’re trying to George Floyd me” in the footage.

Police responded by saying “stop or I’m a tase you”. Anderson was asked to turn around on his back by an officer holding a Taser. Two others were seen holding him to the ground.

He had been stopped by authorities following a traffic collision. An officer saw him showing “erratic behaviour” and several people involved in the collision “motioned to Anderson, indicating that he caused the accident”, LAPD said in a statement.

Officers struggled with Anderson for “several minutes”, using their bodyweight, “firm grips and joint locks to overcome his resistance” before tasering him.

He was handcuffed and taken into custody. He received medical treatment there and then was taken in an ambulance to a local hospital.

While at the hospital in Santa Monica, he went into cardiac arrest and died.

Detectives from LAPD’s Force Investigation Divison responded to the scene and are investigating, police said.

Anderson was a Washington DC high school English teacher and father.

“My cousin was asking for help, and he didn’t receive it. He was killed,” BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors told the Guardian.

“Nobody deserves to die in fear, panicking and scared for their life.”

The school where he worked, Digital Pioneers Academy, said in a statement: “Keenan is the third member of our school community to fall victim to violence in the past 65 days.

“Our community is grieving. But we’re also angry. Angry that another talented, beautiful black soul is gone too soon.

“Keenan was a deeply committed educator and father of a six-year-old son.”

A West Traffic Division motor officer was alerted to the collision, allegedly involving Anderson, near major LA thoroughfare Venice Boulevard.

Police chief Michel Moore told a news conference that Anderson had committed a felony hit-and-run and had attempted to flee the scene by trying to “get into another person’s car without their permission”.

The traffic officer observed Anderson “running in the middle of the street” and showing “erratic behaviour”, LAPD said.

“The officer contacted Anderson, verbalised with him, and requested additional units for a DUI investigation.

“Anderson initially followed the officer’s commands and sat at the northeast corner of Venice and Lincoln Boulevard for several minutes as the officer spoke with him.

“As additional units arrived at scene, Anderson suddenly attempted to flee the location. Officers gave chase as Anderson ran eastbound in the middle of the street on Venice Boulevard. As officers contacted Anderson, he began to resist, resulting in a use of force.

“Anderson was subsequently handcuffed and hobbled at the ankles. Shortly after Anderson was taken into custody, Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) personnel responded to the scene and rendered medical aid.”

A cause of death for Mr Anderson has not been officially determined.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she had “grave concerns” about the “deeply disturbing” police footage.

“The need for urgent change is clear. We must reduce the use of force overall, and I have absolutely no tolerance for excessive force.”