Background

A 27-year-old Black woman, Niani Finlayson, tragically lost her life after allegedly being shot by a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) deputy. The incident occurred when Finlayson called 911 to report a domestic disturbance at her home.

Release of Body Camera Footage

After several weeks, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) has finally released the body camera footage of the police-involved shooting that took place in December. The footage sheds light on the events leading up to Finlayson’s untimely death.

Deputy’s Actions

The video footage reveals that Deputy Ty Shelton shot Finlayson four times just three seconds after entering her home. The swift use of deadly force has raised concerns and sparked outrage among the public.

Outrage and Criticism

Community members and activists have criticized the deputies for their failure to de-escalate the situation and their use of lethal force against a victim of domestic abuse who had reached out for help. The tragic outcome has left Finlayson’s family and friends devastated.

Grieving Mother’s Words

Tracie Hall, Finlayson’s mother, expressed her grief and frustration, stating, “It’s so unfair that we have to live our lives without Niani Finlayson. That was my best friend. I’m going to miss her so much. I miss her already.”

911 Call Details

According to the 911 call audio released by LASD, Finlayson can be heard yelling for someone to get their hands off her and requesting assistance to remove a man, identified by her family as her former boyfriend, from her home.

Violent Encounter

Hall revealed that the estranged boyfriend choked Finlayson and physically assaulted her daughter when she tried to intervene. The situation escalated quickly, leading to the arrival of three deputies at the scene.

Body Cam Footage

The body camera footage shows the deputies attempting to kick down the door before entering Finlayson’s home. Inside, Finlayson can be seen yelling at her alleged estranged boyfriend. The footage also suggests that Finlayson may have been holding a knife. Within seconds of entering the house, Deputy Ty Shelton fired four shots at Finlayson, causing her to drop to the ground.

Efforts to Save Her

Deputies immediately provided first aid to Finlayson until paramedics arrived. She was then rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately, she was pronounced dead.

Impact on Finlayson’s Daughter

Tragically, Finlayson’s daughter witnessed the shooting. Hall expressed the family’s efforts to support her and ensure she doesn’t blame herself for her mother’s fate. Hall emphasized that her daughter did nothing wrong and should not carry any guilt.

Legal Action

In response to the tragic incident, Finlayson’s family filed a claim in court on December 21, seeking a minimum of $30 million in compensation from LASD and Los Angeles County for the loss of their loved one due to the actions of the LASD deputy.