Outcry After Black Man Found Hanging From Palmdale Tree

PALMDALE, CA — Following community outcry, authorities are investigating the death of a 24-year-old black man who was found hanging from a tree near City Hall in Palmdale this week, in what was originally described as an apparent suicide.

On Saturday, hundreds of people took to the streets in Palmdale, marching from the park where Robert Fuller's body was found with a rope around his neck to the sheriff's station. Some carried signs reading "Justice for Robert Fuller."

Fuller's death was first reported when a passerby saw his body around 3 a.m. Wednesday, prompting emergency workers to respond, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

But alarmed community members have demanded a fuller investigation, especially amid nationwide protests condemning police violence against black people, spurred by the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.

This is Robert Fuller, just 24 yrs old. He was found hanging from a tree outside City Hall in Palmdale, California on June 10th.

In recent years, Palmdale has been the site of KKK fliers & noose displays.

Officials must reveal whether he was lynched. #JusticeForRobertFuller pic.twitter.com/RsxekBpKUW
— Kristen Clarke (@KristenClarkeJD) June 13, 2020

City officials have called for an independent investigation into Fuller's death.

"The City of Palmdale is joining the family (of Robert Fuller) and the community's call for justice, and we do support a full investigation into his death," Palmdale Public Information Officer John Mlynar said. "We will settle for nothing less than a thorough accounting of this matter."

"The City has already reached out to Mr. Fuller's family, offering help and support, and will do everything possible to assist Mr. Fuller's family during this difficult time as a complete vetting of his death is investigated," Mlynar said.

Nearly 150,000 people have also signed an online petition demanding an investigation into Fuller's death. On Friday afternoon, as many as 100 angry residents attended a march and rally in the area where Fuller's body was found, some labeling his death a lynching.

Dozens later attended a heated news conference at City Hall, shouting down local officials and blasting them for quickly issuing public statements labeling Fuller's death a suicide.

Lt. Kelly Yagerlener of the county medical examiner-coroner’s office said a decision on the cause of death is deferred pending an investigation. A full autopsy is planned.

Community members asked for surveillance video around the time and place where Fuller's body was found. But the city said there were no outdoor cameras, and video recorders on a nearby traffic signal could not have captured what happened.

Sheriff's Capt. Ron Shaffer said homicide detectives were investigating the circumstances leading to Fuller's death to determine if foul play was involved. He urged members of the public to contact detectives if they have relevant information.

The death comes on the heels of a national conversation about racism in the United States, and the circumstances of Fuller's death evokes the country's sordid history of lynchings. Nearly 5,000 lynchings occurred in the United States between 1882 and 1968, according to the NAACP. More than 70% of those lynched were black.

Two of Fuller's cousins told NBC4 they do not believe Fuller would have committed suicide.

A virtual town hall is scheduled from 2-4 p.m. Monday in which residents of Palmdale and Lancaster can discuss the death and the investigation. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva will co-host the event, along with captains from the two cities' sheriff's stations. To register for the event, visit bit.ly/2XQ1JgF.

Information from the Associated Press and City News Service was used in this report.