Teacher Who Died In LAPD Custody Identified As Cousin Of BLM Founder

VENICE, CA — A man who died in Los Angeles Police custody after he was tased following a traffic collision in Venice was identified as the cousin of Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors, the activist announced on social media.

In an Instagram post on Sunday, Cullors said her cousin Kennan Anderson — a 31-year-old English teacher for high-school-aged children and father of a 6-year-old son— died on Jan. 3. Anderson was one of three people to die in LAPD custody since the beginning of the year, according to LAPD.

"LAPD has killed three people this year. One of them is my family member," Cullors said on Instagram. "Keenan deserves to be alive right now, his child deserves to be raised by his father. Keenan we will fight for you and for all of our loved ones impacted by state violence."

LAPD detectives from the Force Investigation Division are investigating the incident.

According to a statement from LAPD released on Friday, Anderson was in the road in the area of Venice Boulevard and Lincoln Boulevard when officers responded to a traffic collision at 3:38 p.m. on Jan. 3. In the statement, police said he was "running in the middle of the street and exhibiting erratic behavior."

Upon arrival, an officer said they spoke with Anderson and requested additional units for a DUI investigation. Anderson initially cooperated with officers and sat at the northeast corner of Venice and Lincoln Boulevard for several minutes, according to the LAPD.

Police said Anderson attempted to flee after additional officers arrived, prompting a chase and the use of force.

"Officers struggled with Anderson for several minutes, utilizing a TASER, bodyweight, firm grips, and joint locks to overcome his resistance," LAPD said in the statement. "Anderson was subsequently handcuffed and hobbled at the ankles."

Los Angeles Fire Department officials rendered medical aid to Anderson after he was taken into custody and transported him to a local hospital in Santa Monica. At the hospital, Anderson went into cardiac arrest and died, according to police.