UPDATE: Police Protective League Reacts to Devonshire Protest

The family of Abdul Arian, a 19-year-old who wanted to be a Marine and a policeman, told KCAL9 they plan a 5 p.m. protest today at the Devonshire police station to demand answers why officers shot him to death. [For a response from the Los Angeles Police Protective League, please scroll down.]

The chase from Northridge to the Ventura Freeway in Woodland Hills began with a traffic infraction, and with Arian telling a 911 operator during the pursuit:

"I have a gun. I've been arrested before for possession of destructive devices. I'm not afraid of the cops. If they pull their guns, I'm gonna have to pull my gun out on them."

Although Arian fled from his car on foot, and assumed what appeared to be a firing stance in the middle of the freeway, no gun was found.

Feriba Morris, a family friend, asked KCAL9 why Arian wasn’t taken into custody. “Murders, rapists, child molesters … they get justice. They get a trial. In this case, the cop was the juror, the judge and the executioner. Why?”

See the KCAL9 video and story here.

Statement from the Los Angeles Police Protective League:

In response to reports that the family of Abdul Arian plans to hold a protest this afternoon over the April 11 incident in which Mr. Arian failed to stop for a traffic violation and led officers on a high speed pursuit, Tyler Izen, President of the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL), issued the following statement:

“It is unfortunate that our society has come to the place where a lawful command from an officer goes ignored. Oftentimes, this sets into motion a regrettable series of events, as in this case. When a person decides to engage officers in a pursuit, refuses police orders to end the threat they are posing to the safety of officers and the public, tells the police that they have a gun, exits a vehicle and takes an aggressive shooting stance, extends their arms out and points an unknown object at the officers, they are subjecting themselves to the consequences of their actions, which may include being shot.

“While our hearts go out to the Arian family over their loss, it is critical for the public to know that while being pursued by LAPD officers, Mr Arian called 911 and engaged in a lengthy conversation with the 911 operator. Among the statements he made were, ‘I have a gun,’ ‘I’ve been arrested before for possession of destructive devices, I’m not afraid of the cops,’ and ‘If they pull their guns, I’m gonna have to pull my gun out on them.’”

As chronicled by the LAPD news release about the incident, the 911 dispatcher implored the suspect to stop, telling him, “I don’t want you to hurt yourself.” The suspect responded, “I’m not gonna get hurt s—head, f— these police, they’re gonna get hurt.”

The pursuit terminated on the 101 Freeway near Canoga Avenue when the suspect initiated the stop with the officers. The suspect picked both the time and place for this tragic incident to occur. The dedicated men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department who serve to protect our communities deserve all the tools and support the community can possibly provide. The LAPPL asks the public and our community leaders to continue to support our officers and make sure that criminals do not deter them from making Los Angeles the safest big city in America.