Chief Melekian Issues Statement on Barnes Shooting

At a press conference Tuesday, Pasadena Police Chief Bernard Melekian addressed the media on investigations into the Feb. 19 fatal shooting by police officers of resident Leroy Barnes in Northwest Pasadena.

Here is a trabnscript of Chief Melekian’s remarks:

“On February 19th of this year, two Pasadena Police officers assigned to Day Watch patrol made a traffic stop near the intersection of Mentone & Washington. Seventy four seconds later, many lives had been changed forever.

The last several weeks have been difficult for everyone involved. They have been difficult for the Barnes family, they have been difficult for the officers involved and they have been difficult for the community at large. There have been a number of reported statements by a variety of persons, many of which were inaccurate.

Within two hours after this incident, the department issued a statement to the media describing what had occurred. Ultimately, one point in that statement turned out to be wrong. In the interest of full transparency, I issued a clarification almost immediately. The intent was to demonstrate candor and forthrightness.

The Pasadena Police Department believes that the most critical component of community policing is a bridge of trust between the police department and the community we serve. The ease with which that bridge can be damaged points out the amount of work yet to be done.

Subsequently, the department agreed with the family of Mr. Barnes that neither the family nor the city would issue any further statements until it was time for the official report. The family was told that the department would attempt to have that report completed within 30 days. We further assured them that they would be briefed as to the results of the investigation prior to its official release. Both of those objectives have been met.

Today, we are presenting the results of the police investigation that was conducted to determine what occurred on that Thursday afternoon. lt is important to remember that today’s report is the beginning, not the end, of a long process of analysis.

This matter will be reviewed in greater detail by the Pasadena Police Department’s Professional Standards unit, which is completely separate from the Homicide Unit. They will review the issues of policy, tactics, training and equipment.  That aspect of this investigation, which is currently underway, will not be completed for several weeks.

The Los Angeles County Coroner’s office report has been completed with the exception of the toxicology results. A hold had been placed on that report pending the completion of this initial investigation so that they could be released simultaneously and each reviewed in the context of the other.

This report will now be submitted to the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Division. That office will review this matter to determine if this shooting was justified. They will focus on the criminal aspects of this case concerning all of the involved parties. The DA’s office makes every effort to complete their investigation within 90 days of receiving the department’s report.

Additionally, the department has requested that the Federal Bureau of Investigation review this matter to determine if Mr. Barnes’ civil rights were violated. All of the Pasadena Police Department’s reports, along with other related documents, will be submitted to the FBI.

ln view of the concerns expressed by some in our community regarding the need for an independent review of this matter and in the interest of continuing to demonstrate full transparency, I have asked the Los Angeles County Office of Independent Review to take this matter under consideration.  I am joined today by Mr. Mike Gennaco, the Chief Attorney of the Office of Independent Review and Mr. Robert Miller, the Deputy Chief Attorney of that office.

The Office of Independent Review is a separate body that reviews Officer Involved Shootings and Use of Force incidents for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies.

“They will conduct their own investigation, both as to the incident itself and the quality of the investigation,” the Chief continues. “They have been involved with this investigation since the second week after the incident occurred. They have had, and will continue to have, unlimited access to all aspects of this investigation. At an appropriate time, to be
determined by their office, they will issue separate reports to me and the City Manager.”

The video recording of the incident will not be released at this time. As previously articulated, there are a number of agencies that are and will be continuing to conduct official investigations. The City will exercise its legal and professional obligation to allow that work to occur in an appropriate fashion. Each of the agencies mentioned earlier will
have full access to the video recording.

An accounting of what occurred demonstrates the folrowing facts:

Mr. Barnes was armed with a loaded and operational firearm.

Mr. Barnes was on active parole. lf he had been arrested in possession of the weapon, he faced the possibility of being returned to prison for an extended period of time, possibly for the rest of his life.

. A violent physical struggle occurred in the back seat of the car for the control of that weapon. Mr. Barnes pointed the weapon at the face of an officer and that officer shot him.

. Mr. Barnes stepped from the car, with the gun in his hand, and was shot several more times

. Mr. Barnes died as a consequence of his own decisions and actions. As you will see, there are several points during this encounter where, if Mr. Barnes chooses a different course, there is a completely different and non-violent outcome.

As I said when we started, seventy-four seconds altered many lives. The Barnes family has lost someone they love. The two officers, who did not come to work that day wanring to have to use deadly force, will live with this tragic event for the rest of their lives.

The men and women of the Pasadena Police Department have worked very hard over the years to build relationships and partnerships with this community. This incident points out the seeming ease with which the results of those years of hard work on the part of many people can be eroded. lt points out the work yet to be done to ensure that the bridge of trust between the department and the community is maintained.”