‘They’re trying to meet George Floyd me’: BLM founder’s cousin dies hours after LAPD encounter

A man with family ties to the Black Lives Matter movement died at a hospital near Los Angeles just hours after an encounter with the LAPD.

Around 3:30 p.m. on January 3, police arrived at the intersection of Venice Boulevard and Lincoln Boulevard. There were reports of a traffic accident and a man, later identified as 31-year-old Keenan Darnell Anderson, walking in the road causing a disturbance.

When police arrived, they found Anderson in the street “exhibiting erratic behavior,” a police said report said. Witnesses stated that Anderson caused the accident, and a conversation between bystanders captured on cellphone video of the incident suggested that Anderson may have attempted to steal a car after the accident.

The unnamed officer who made it first contact with Anderson reported that he suspected Anderson may have been under the influence. During their interaction, Anderson cooperated with some of the officer’s instructions. He also repeatedly insisted that some unidentified people were trying to “kill” him. Although he sat on the floor for a short time, he kept getting up and walking around, despite the officer’s repeated requests to remain seated.

A few minutes later, Anderson reportedly ran back onto the street. Both the officer and colleagues who had just arrived at the scene convinced Anderson to get back on the ground, but he disobeyed orders to turn on his stomach. Officers eventually arrested Anderson and turned him over while he apparently continued to resist.

At this point, Anderson reiterated that “they are trying to kill him” and asked others for help. “They’re trying to convict me with George Floyd,” he said twice. After several warnings, an officer eventually verbally abused Anderson multiple times.

The LAPD has released video that offers bodycam footage of the incident from several responding officers, as well as cellphone video from a bystander. Warning: The content of the video is difficult to see.

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Throughout the encounter, Anderson appeared aware and aware. The fire department arrived and provided medical assistance to the Tasing at the scene. They then put Anderson in a wheelchair-like apparatus and transported him to a Santa Monica hospital for treatment of the tasing.

“In the hospital, Anderson went into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead,” the report said. He died at 8:15 p.m. that evening, about five hours after the traffic accident.

Initial toxicology reports on two separate blood samples showed Anderson tested positive for “cocaine metabolites and cannabinoids,” the report said. The LA Coroner’s Office will also prepare an independent toxicology report.

Anderson was a 31-year-old father who lived in Washington, DC and taught English at a charter school in the area. He was also the cousin of Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors. Cullors released a statement after Anderson’s death.

“This is my cousin Keenan Anderson,” she wrote on Instagram. “He was killed by LAPD in Venice on January 3, 2023.”

“The LAPD killed three people this year. One of them is my family member,” the post continued. “Keenan deserves to be alive now, his child deserves to be raised by his father.”

Mashea Ashton, a founder of the school where Anderson worked, also released a statement. “The details of his death are as disturbing as they are tragic,” he said expression said. “Keenan was a very dedicated educator and father of a six-year-old son. … He was loved by all.”

“Our community is in mourning. But we are also angry. Angry that once again a well known, loved and respected member of our community is no longer with us. Angry that another talented beautiful black soul left too soon.” the statement added.

At a news conference on Wednesday, Police Chief Michael Moore claimed that Anderson committed a hit and run felony the afternoon before his death and then attempted “to get into someone else’s car without their permission.” CNBC.

None of the officers involved in the arrest were named. The investigation into the incident and the use of force against Anderson is ongoing.

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