Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Fatal shooting of unarmed homeless man in Venice unjustified, commission says
Listen
• 0:48
File photo: Brendon Glenn was fatally shot by LAPD officers May 5, 2015. A friend created a t-shirt with his image the next day.
(
Frank Stoltze/KPCC
)
The officer who shot and killed an unarmed homeless man in Venice last year was not justified in using lethal force, the Los Angeles Police Commission ruled Tuesday.
The board voted 4-0 in closed session to approve chief Charlie Beck's report, which said video footage contradicted officer Clifford Proctor's claim that Brendon Glenn was reaching for a gun when he was shot.
Earlier, this year, Beck, in a rare move, recommended criminal charges against the officer.
No law enforcement officer in L.A. County has faced criminal charges related to an on-duty shooting in 15 years.
Support for LAist comes from
L.A. District Attorney Jackie Lacey's office said she has not yet decided whether to file.
In Glenn's death, a body camera worn by one of the officers captured portions of the incident, as did a surveillance camera at the nearby Townhouse Bar, where the ordeal began.
Last May, police responding to a 911 call about a man arguing with the bar's bouncer encountered Glenn, 29, who they said became involved in a struggle with someone on the sidewalk.
The officers initially sent Glenn on his way then returned when they saw him turn back toward the bar and fight with the bouncer.
Glenn struggled with the officers as they arrested him, and Proctor told investigators Glenn also grabbed for his partner's holster. That claim, the report said, was contradicted by Proctor's partner and by video footage:
"At no time during incident can Glenn's hand be observed on or near any portion of Officer [REDACTED]'s holster," the report said.
Proctor shot Glenn twice in the back, at a range of one foot, six inches, killing him.
Support for LAist comes from
The report faults Proctor not only for using lethal force against Glenn, but for compromising the safety of his partner, who was in the line of fire.
Both officers were faulted for not using de-escalation tactics to take Glenn into custody, instead using commands that may have escalated the situation with an inebriated man.
In January, Beck said Glenn's death was the first time in his career he had recommended criminal charges against an officer in a fatal, on-duty officer-involved shooting.
In February, Glenn's mother sued Beck and the city for wrongful death and excessive force.
Read the full report below:
This story has been updated.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist