Los Angeles Off-Duty Police Officer Killed Non-Verbal Disabled Man, Injured Parents

The Los Angeles Police Department is staying silent about an off-duty police officer that shot and killed a “non-violent, non-aggressive, non-verbal” disabled man, 32-year-old Kenneth French. The officer also found it necessary to shoot both of the victim’s parents as well.

French’s parents, Russell and Paola French, were still in an intensive care unit Sunday, according to the Associated Press.

Rick Shureih, French’s cousin, told The Press-Enterprise that he was a “gentle giant” who was mentally disabled. French was “non-violent, non-aggressive, non-verbal,” his cousin, Rick Shureih said, and “he has to be pretty much monitored.”

“He’s not the kind to trade words, so I don’t believe that a verbal confrontation happened,” Shureih said.

The police officer, who was also holding his child at the time, said that French attacked him without provocation. The LAPD said that it’s investigating but so far, there is no sign anyone but the officer had a weapon. No one else fired shots except for him and according to witnesses, there were six shots fired.

Shureih posted a photo of the family, including the victim, on his Facebook Page.

“I’m not keeping quiet about this! People need to know! This is my family! These are the victims of the Costco shooting the other night. My cousin Kenneth was killed and his parents, my aunt & uncle were also both shot and are in ICU. Do they look intimidating to you? Did he really have to shoot them all? I’m posting this picture because the stories on social media have made them out to be the suspects, and the off duty cop the victim. This is a family that was unarmed and was just grocery shopping. The truth will come out! I’m sure this was a misunderstanding that got escalated for no reason! If anyone was a witness please get in contact with us.”

The name of the officer hasn’t been released.

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