This was like 8/9 yrs, ago, why keep digging up ghost. Domestic abuse on his pregnant girlfriend.
At the time he was being sought for questioning from an alleged domestic abuse incident after his girlfriend called 911.[1][2] After initially evading the police, Brunston was cornered in a nearby doorway where he and the officers tried to negotiate.[1] He repeatedly told the officers he was wanted for murder (which was false), would rather die right there than go back to prison, and that he was armed and would shoot a police dog and the deputies if the dog was released or they fired first.[1] However he had no gun but had a flip-flop sandal in his right hand hidden under his T-shirt. Brunston repeatedly stated that he would throw the "gun" down and surrender if he were allowed to speak to his girlfriend who he said was pregnant with his child,[1] but his request was never granted. The dog was released and Bruston threw down the sandal.[1]
Deputies discharged 81 shots, killing both Brunston and the dog.[1][3] The dog was airlifted from the scene, Bruston was killed instantly. No gun was found on or near Brunson.[1] The incident was captured on video and posted on numerous websites. The videotape was used in the lawsuit to support that the police had acted in haste.[2]
[edit] AftermathSee also: Human rights in the United States#Police_brutality
Deandre Brunston's aunt, Keisha Brunston, brought a wrongful death lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in response to the killing.[4] They alleged the deputies could have easily prevented the death, were poorly trained in these situations and were 'trigger-happy'.[1] Charges against the deputies were dropped and the suit focused on the supervisors and training.[1] The judge ruled that suit could still charge against the animal's handler and supervisors including civil rights violations, false arrest and "negligent hiring, training and supervision."[5] An order to release the police dog was allegedly given over a phone from an off-duty supervisor, who had been drinking.[1] The family's attorney noted that the officers present seemed to act in haste as a crisis team with a trained negotiator was on route to the scene and would have determined whether the young man was bluffing.[1] The family later settled with the county for $340,000 in March 2006.[6] Brunston's mother, Brenda Gaines, was awarded $122,500 with his three children also receiving sums.[7] The county also was ordered to pay $105,000 in legal fees.[6] Several deputies were also given two-to-five day suspensions for shooting when not designated as on-site shooters.[1]
Deandre Brunston has become a symbol against police brutality.[8][9][10] Keisha Brunston spoke at a War and Racism Forum in 2005 in Los Angeles.[11] His picture was held in a march in Atlanta, GA in 2007 for the U.S. Social Forum.[12] Brunston's family also spoke at a 2008 vigil for a Pakistani who was killed by the LAPD.[13]
teril.m said it best.
But I wouldn't hesitate to make sure me or my men were the one's going home that night.
22 out of 81, I would have scheduled them all for some range time.....
