Even Cops Are Troubled By Video From LAPD Shooting Of Venice Man

Yesterday LAPD Police Chief Charlie Beck took the unusual step of saying that an officer-involved shooting didn't appear to be justified. Beck said he was "very concerned" after watching a surveillance video of a police officer fatally shooting an unarmed man in Venice on Tuesday. Today we don't yet have the video, but we do have a more detailed and troubling description from police sources.

The video, which doesn't have audio, shows officers struggling with and ultimately subduing Brendon Glenn, anonymous law enforcement sources who viewed the footage told the L.A. Times. The video shows that officers seemed to have control over Glenn at one point. But then one officer stands up and steps a few feet away from the scene. At that point, Glenn stands up and struggles with the second officer. The first officer then fires two shots at Glenn. Sources say that the video doesn't show any physical action that would explain why the officer fired.

Beck clarified his statements today—the police union isn't happy with him right now—and said he hasn't rushed to judgment: "I think I gave some factual statements about the state of the investigation, being very specific that this is not a conclusion that I am drawing and I will wait for the entire investigation to be presented to me before there is a conclusion."

A vigil was held last night close to the site of the shooting, near Winward and Pacific Avenues, and another is expected for tonight.

The LAPD will host a community meeting tonight at 6 p.m. to talk about the shooting at Westminster Elementary School, 1010 Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice. Commanders from the LAPD who oversee the Pacific Division are scheduled to attend, as well as Inspector General Alex Bustamante and Police Commission President Steve Soboroff