Community activists want to know how the eviction of a Chinese American woman in San Diego ended in police shooting and killing her, reports ABC10.
“There’s actually more questions than answers in the video posted by police,” said Sunny Rickard, president of the Alliance of Chinese Americans San Diego who is also an attorney.
The community group Friday reacted to bodycam footage of the incident on March 3. The footage shows Li holding a knife while answering a knock on the door from a deputy.
“It’s your notice for — put the knife down right now or I’m going to (expletive) shoot … put the knife down!” Deputy Jason Bunch yelled, according to KPBS.
The Alliance questioned the use of confrontational language and whether a calmer response might have deescalated the situation.
“They said ‘F’ word. ‘F’ shoot you, ‘F’ shoot you. Is it really necessary to use that word when you serve a notice to evict,” Rickard asked?
The officer handed her an eviction notice. That’s when she throws it back at him and slams on the door.
More deputies arrived and entered the apartment. KPBS reports the video shows Li peaking out her bedroom door. Officers fire bean bag rounds at her. Li comes charging out and stabbing an officer. Deputies opened fire, killing her.
Rickard is calling for a complete investigation and wonders why deputies didn’t wait for the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team.
“They should have used de-escalation training,” Community advocate Tasha Williamson said. “They did not have to enter her home because she was not a threat to anyone…“An eviction notice shouldn’t turn into a death sentence.”
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