Kendrec McDade

Unarmed 19-year-old Kendrec McDade was shot eight times by Pasadena police after a 911 caller falsely claimed he had been robbed at gunpoint in March 2012.

What happened

On March 24, 2012, Pasadena officers Matthew Griffin and Jeffrey Newlen pursued Kendrec McDade following a report of an armed robbery. The caller, Oscar Carrillo, later admitted he had invented the gun allegation in hopes of getting a faster response to a theft. Police confronted McDade on a dark street and shot him eight times; he had no weapon. His parents said their son was a young college student and challenged both the police pursuit and the decision to fire based on inaccurate dispatch information. The case generated protests, multiple reviews and lawsuits that scrutinized the consequences of the false call and the officers' tactics.

Investigation & findings

Prosecutors and the department found no criminal or policy violation by the officers, while McDade's parents maintained their civil claims. Pasadena paid approximately $1.04 million combined to his mother and father in 2014 settlements. The 911 caller pleaded guilty to false reporting.

What happened

Investigation & findings

Sources & records