Shooting of William Leonard

1968 police shooting in Los Angeles, California

William Anthony Leonard (1949-March 9, 1968) was a 19 year old African-American teenager who was shot and killed by an LAPD officer Larry N. Fultz.[1]

Shooting of William Leonard
DateMarch 9, 1968
Location557 W Imperial Hwy Los Angeles, CA
TypeShooting

Shooting change

Leonard had been babysitting for Augustus and Barbara Mallard at 557 W. Imperial Hwy., to earn extra money. Police showed up at the home in response to a call that August Mallard had been threatening to kill his wife Barbara. Upon arrival, officers found August Mallard waving a pistol, Fultz approached a back window to question Barbara Mallard when he saw Leonard opening a window in the bathroom of the home. Lutz shot and killed Leonard, who had his arms raised and was facing away from the window.[2]

Following his death in 1968, Jeff and Josephine Leonard filed a lawsuit for $1,000,000 (equivalent to $8,351,795 in 2021). Los Angeles City Council recommended it be denied, but voted unanimously to award a $25,000 (equivalent to $208,795 in 2021) settlement 4 years later in 1972. It was the first settlement for police misconduct in Los Angeles' history.[3][1]

References change

  1. 1.0 1.1 Cochran, Johnnie; Fisher, David (November 4, 2003). A Lawyer's Life. Macmillan. ISBN 9780312319670 – via Google Books.
  2. "Death By Mistake Inquest Set Mar. 26". Los Angeles Sentinel.
  3. "Council Committee OKs Award in Mistake Slaying of Youth". Los Angeles Times. August 17, 1972. p. 35.