With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
DA Lacey's Husband Pulled A Gun On Protesters Outside Their House

Black Lives Matter protesters gathered outside District Attorney Jackie Lacey's home early this morning, going so far as to ring the doorbell. They were answered by Lacey's husband, David, who pointed what appeared to be a handgun at them and ordered them off his porch. Lacey later told reporters her husband was "profoundly sorry."
The confrontation -- coming the day before the March 3 primary -- was captured in a video posted by BLM organizer Melina Abdullah, a Pan-African studies professor at Cal State Los Angeles. Abdullah noted in the description of the video that the protestors were there for a "community meeting" Lacey had "promised."
Past efforts to arrange a meeting have foundered; Lacey has wanted to meet with small groups, while BLM has insisted on a public meeting, which the DA has refused to do.
The entire video lasts just 45 seconds and starts with David Lacey standing in his open doorway holding the gun.
"I will shoot you. Get off of my porch," he says in the video.
I’m front of DA Jackie Lacey’s house for that community meeting she promised with the @BLMLA crew. Rang her bell to invite her.
— Melina Abdullah (@DocMellyMel) March 2, 2020
Her husband pulled a gun, cocked it, pointed it at my chest and said “I’ll shoot you. I don’t care who you are.” @WP4BL @RealJusticePAC @shaunking pic.twitter.com/WtazUWSJIC
Black Lives Matter and other activists have denounced Lacey for, among other things, only prosecuting one law enforcement officer for an on-duty shooting of a civilian during her two terms in office. They have held weekly protests outside her office, playing drums, yelling and chanting, "Jackie Lacey must go." A number of protestors disrupted the Jan. 29 DA candidates debate. Protestors also showed up outside her home in 2018.
READ MORE:
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.

-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember.
-
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain.
-
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care.
-
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings.
-
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past.
-
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.