Unincorporated Athens: Woodrow Player III, 22

Woodrow Player III, a 22-year-old black man, was shot several times by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies and died on July 10 in the 11200 block of Berendo Avenue in unincorporated Athens.

Civil rights leaders called for a federal investigation.

Player was shot as he ran from deputies in the 11200 block of Berendo Avenue about 8:45 p.m. Friday, authorities said.

Investigators said they recovered a gun from Player's car, but witnesses said he was unarmed when deputies shot him in the back.

Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore promised a thorough review of the shooting.

"This will be examined from top to bottom. And if there are any inconsistencies, they will be brought forth," Whitmore said.

But Earl Ofari Hutchinson, president of the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable, and Eddie Jones of the L.A. Civil Rights Assn. joined Player's relatives Saturday at the place where Player was shot to call for a federal investigation.

"We have no confidence in the Sheriff's Department to investigate itself," Hutchinson said, dismissing the sheriff's Office of Independent Review, which is investigating.

-- Molly Hennessy-Fiske in Athens

Read more: Deputies kill man in Athens; rights groups want an investigation

Photo: Woodrow Player III, 22, pictured with his wife Tyisha in a family portrait

Comments

[a hurting and grieving mother]

this young man is the godfather to my neice's four girls i dont personally know him but when my neice gave birthday party's baby shower's etc i would see him there with his kids like a loving father no one deserves to be shot down like a dog god bless his children and his mom and his whole entire family may you get justice truly

[smitty]

THIS IS REALLY CRAZY! HIS WIFE/ BABYMAMA CALLED THE PLOICE AND STATED THAT PLAYER HAD HIT HER AND HE HAD A GUN N THE CAR? HE JUST BEAT HIS MURDER CASE, AND HES STILL ON PROBATION 4 DOPE? HUMMMM......WASNT THAT HIS WIFE ON TV TALKN BOUT THEY JUST KILLED MY HUSBAND 4 NOTHIN?????? WHEN U PLAY WIT FIRE U GET BURNED!!!!!

[Rick]

It is very sad he was shot and killed but, look at all the circumstances. A young black male in a high crime area and he suddenly runs away when he approached by uniformed officers. My thing is if you have not done anything, why run away. He knew he was going to jail because he had the gun in his possession although it was in his car.

[tatoo on his back]

this was a horrible thing the police did. No matter what people are saying about him running or beating his case he had people that loved him and he loved people as well ima miss my boo so much may he rest in peace and not be judged by people who don't know who he really was.

[reality]

wahhhhhhhhhhhh. dont be a dirt bag and u won't get shot

[the1]

ITS A SHAME HOW PPL GO OFF WHT THEY HEARD WITHOUT WITHOUT KNOWIN THE FACTS, HOW CAN SOMEBODY JUDGE SOMEBODY THEY NEVER KNEW, YEAH HE WAS ON PAROLE, JUST BEAT A CASE, HAD A RECORD BUT HE DIDNT DESERVE TO DIE,NOT LIKE THAT. WHO DESERVES TO BE SHOT IN THE BACK WHILE RUNNING. HE HAD THREE CHILDREN THATS NEVER GOING TO SEE THEIR FATHER AGAIN!!!. RIGHT IS RIGHT AND WRONG IS WRONG.

[SHELL]

im so hurt words cant explain hes my lil brother we grow up a brothers and sister on new hampshire he was n still my world i love his 2 sons mp jp they my world i really didnt get 2 spend time with his daughter because his so called wanna be wife was stupid never got smart...... but he would cum and visit me all the time he would stop the car n the middla of traffic just 2 say hi and give me love we loved each other so much he was apart my family and i was apart of his we have a family on new hampshire those who grew up 2 getheir we love are family that love each other and always will so keep ur bad comments 2 ur self its not cool

[Me and You]

but he was such a good little boy.... booooo hoooooo
why don't you people get a job and quit being thugs!

[His Love One For Life!]

To all you out there its no reason for our young men to be shoot down like dogs no matter what they have done in the past.If God does not judge us how can the police. This is no game Woodrow Jr Player lll had family that loved him more than world could express,and he was not a bad person so for those who does not understand just wait until its one of your family members shoot because of what they have done in the past.He will be miss and will live on forever in my heart, and many others heart,My love my heart my baby brother,God Bless.