Eddie Felix Franco, 56

                     

Eddie Felix Franco, 56, a Latino man, was shot and killed by Inglewood police about 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, at 475 Market Street in Inglewood. Franco was homeless.

It is the Inglewood Police Department's fourth officer-involved shooting since May (see Michael Byoune, Ruben Walton Ortega and Kevin Wicks ). See The Times' article on the shooting.

-Ruben Vives/Los Angeles Times

Comments

[ToSERVE&PROTECT]

Maybe he charged at them with his blanket or maybe he didnt wake up fast enough for them or maybe they didnt like the fact that he was homeless! Inglewood police, you are doing an EXCELLENT job. You really show how highly trained and professional you really are. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK and maybe you'll actually end up shooting a "REAL" criminal!!!! Thanks, Im thrilled my tax dollars are helping our homeless problem. Is this your way of "Cleaning up the community???"

[missin linq]

highly trained.....hmmmm.does psycological profile of a cadet ever really get evaluated by a non bias indivdual.or are they just taught to shoot first and we will cover up the mess.a man holding a knife 15ft away is no match for officers with 9mm,tasers,pepper spray,bully clubs.so i know the homeless man armed with a blanket probably disorietated by the yelling was no match.many would argue that most of the victims deserveed what they got,..but what if one of these m en were your dad,brother or uncle just having a bad day and did not get down fast enough?????just a thought.

[southoc]

Next time you are in danger don't call the police. That way you can be sure they won't shoot any criminals.

[Huh?]

Southoc, maybe we should call you since you're "off Duty"so much and always justifying the actions of some inexperiened officers. Inglewood citizens don't mind dangerous criminals, being shot for the protction of the community. However, southoc (south orange county) it is a tragedy to see "innocent"humans dying at the hands of those who are there to protect us.

[puzzledq]

missin linq , I don't know where you grew up, however where I grew up if a police officer ordered you to place your hands up or ordered you to stop, you did it. If my dad or brother was "having a bad day" and was armed with a knife or replica gun, and refused to obey their commands; I think the police would shoot them.

Why do people believe that knives are not dangerous? People seem to always say. "he had a knife, why did they shoot him?". People, kindly read this "Homicide" blog, MANY people die of knife wounds!!!!!

[michael ryston]

I am astonished at how individuals like missing linq can render an opinion about this incident without having any of the facts other than it happened.

Missin linq...please do some research on close combat involving edged weapons. Studies have shown that a person with a knife can successfully attack a victim from up to 21 feet.

You are not doing anyone any favors by laying blame on the Inglewood PD by default just because you hate authority.

[ToSERVE&PROTECT]

And we ALL know Inglewood PD is known to go "BY THE BOOK" hope this was the "RIGHT PERSON" this time! Last time they killed someone who was just trying to protect their home, now they're killing the HOME-LESS!!

[Kim Smith]

this man was a threat to the community, he was reported by a local business owner to be in position of a gun visible, unknown if it was a toy or not. bean bags did not work he would not comply to the officers orders and he was kiied bootom line. community leaders and activist should not get the community worked up over this incident which is clearly diffrent than the other 2 out 4 shootings. the only issue should be braught up here is that 2-4 officers did not have to shot this man only one. let's look at the community in a whole that inglewood does have fewer crimes because of police presence and seem to be keeping the gang problems under control by their mere presence. stop looking at the negative to this and look at the positive that the police have a difficult job and we as citizens need to become involvled to keep thier city safe

[Joe]

There are alot of toy guns that look like the real thing. Even the person who called it in could not tell if it was real or not. As an officer, you have to assume it is a real gun until you have it in your possession and see it is not. I have dealt with homeless people carrying toy or fake guns who mistakenly believe they can use it for protection or frighten away some body bothering them. It is a sad situation for the police and the victim.

[chris]

i understand that sometimes police are quick to pull the trigger, but who wouldnt be. if your a cop and standing 10ft away from a juvenile who is dressed like a gangmember and ran away when you pulled what are you suppose do wait till he shoots to make sure its a gun. its a hard job to be a police officer. my condolences go to the families invovled. we have to make sure our kids are in the right path to make sure they never get put in the situation ruben was in

[chris]

i understand that sometimes police are quick to pull the trigger, but who wouldnt be. if your a cop and standing 10ft away from a juvenile who is dressed like a gangmember and ran away when you pulled what are you suppose do wait till he shoots to make sure its a gun. its a hard job to be a police officer. my condolences go to the families invovled. we have to make sure our kids are in the right path to make sure they never get put in the situation ruben was in