Police seem to back off original story in OIS..tensions rise

Police Chief Barney Melekian is now softening the official version of events that led to the death of 38-year-old Leroy Barnes in Northwest Pasadena.

While police originally claimed Barnes got out of his car and began firing at officers, Melekian now says that Barnes was shot while in the car after a struggle with officers. He would not back up his earlier claim that Barnes shot at officers saying only that his original statement came at a time when the incident was still under investigation.

Interesting that Melekian consults the Sheriff’s Department. Perhaps he should take some lessons from Sheriff’s Homicide officials who are very careful about what they release in the early minutes following a shooting….

There’s more to report as well…

Photographer Keith Birmingham says tensions in the neighborhood are high. He witnessed several men carrying firearms in the open. Several people in the community have advised our reporters to stay away until tension subsides….

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7 thoughts on “Police seem to back off original story in OIS..tensions rise

  1. Leroy was a very good friend of mine, and for you all to say that he got out the car and start shoting, I just could not believe that. This man has done a complete 360 from how he used to be, if you would of said this about him 11 years ago i might consider it.

    BEST WISHES TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS,

    MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY

  2. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. There must be some way to avert these tragedies in the future.

  3. It’s a heartbreak for our community. I hope all involved have the integrity to be honest. Let’s repair this rift, not make it worse.

  4. “Photographer Keith Birmingham says tensions in the neighborhood are high. He witnessed several men carrying firearms in the open. Several people in the community have advised our reporters to stay away until tension subsides….”
    I thought I would see something about this in the paper or on TV. Can you please point to Mr. Birmingham’s photos of this?

  5. Who has told you reporters to stay away? Did the reporter get a name at least? Isn’t that intimidation and cohersion of your media rights to report? And, how many African American reporters do you guys have to begin with to cover situations and neighborhoods like these one.?

  6. “And, how many African American reporters do you guys have to begin with to cover situations and neighborhoods like these one.?”
    Irrelevant because it would be illegal to assign based upon race, this is called discrimination and is actionable.

  7. In theory, yes its actionable but companies get away with it all the time. Then why was the sole African American reporter that used to work there FOR YEARS assigned to the northwest Pasadena & Altadena areas where there are many African Americans living. Then he got fired for no apparent reason and he should have sued them. That poor guy all of a sudden wqs given the boot but I liked his stories. Let me give you an example, why are there so many asian reporters at the star news now? Because there are so many asian speaking cities in the area. that’s why. people can blend in better and get the story if they look like the people they cover. and thats the truth.

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