Latino Community Leaders Meet Police Chief, Discuss Shooting

Representatives from various Latino community based organizations will meet with Pasadena Chief of Police Phil Sanchez today Thursday to discuss the fatal shooting of Kendrec McDade by Pasadena police on March 24.

“We would also like to be reassured that deadly shootings will be prevented, especially when minority youth are unarmed and running away from the police,” said Randy Ertll, executive Director of El Centro de Acción Social,  the oldest and largest Latino community based organization in Pasadena.

“We pray and hope that fatal shootings will not occur and we ask everyone to work toward peace and justice in our diverse communities,” he continued.

Ertll said that the Latino community “would like for the immigrant community not be demonized and blamed for this unfortunate and devastating situation.”

“We feel the pain of Kendrec McDade’s family. We are also calling for calm and communication between the African American and Latino community leaders and members,” Ertll said.

“This meeting offers an opportunity for community members to be heard and also to offer suggestions in regards to police conduct and relations with Latino youth – who are many times profiled as gang members or criminals due to their style of dress, physical features, or shaved heads,” he said.

McDade was shot as police responded an armed robbery 911 call placed by Oscar Carrillo, 24, of Pasadena. Investigators later determined that Carrillo lied during the call, reporting that McDade and another suspect were armed with guns when in fact they were unarmed.

Police arrested Carrillo was arrested for manslaughter, but later released after the Los Angeles County District Attorney decided not to file charges.

During Carrillo’s custody it was further discovered that he is an illegal immigrant. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reactivated a deportation order for Carrillo, but stayed any action temporarily at the request of the Pasadena police.

El Centro de Acción Social, Inc. was founded in 1968. For m ore please visit www.elcentropasadena.org