Former LAPD Officer Arrested at LAX in 2015 Fatal Shooting of Brendon Glenn
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A former Los Angeles Police Department officer is in custody following his arrest at Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday, May 9, 2024, in connection with the 2015 death of Brendon Glenn, an unarmed man fatally shot in Venice. Clifford Proctor, 60, is being held on a $2 million bail.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed its awareness of the arrest, stating, “The Los Angeles Police Department is aware of the arrest of a former LAPD officer at Los Angeles International Airport on a felony murder warrant.” The department pledged continued support for the justice system and collaboration with law enforcement partners throughout the proceedings.
According to reports from NBC4, which first broke the news, Proctor was apprehended upon arrival at LAX after allegedly fleeing the country, potentially spending the last year in Trinidad. The District Attorney’s Office acknowledged the reports of the arrest but declined to comment further at this time.
The 2015 Shooting and Initial Investigation
The incident occurred on May 5, 2015, following a dispute between Glenn, 29, and a bar bouncer near the Venice Beach boardwalk. Proctor, at the time, claimed he believed Glenn was reaching for his partner’s firearm. However, LAPD investigators determined that Glenn was prone on the ground when Proctor discharged his weapon twice, striking Glenn in the back.
The shooting immediately ignited community outrage, prompting protests and calls for criminal charges against the officer. Despite recommendations from then-LAPD Chief Charlie Beck to prosecute Proctor, then-District Attorney Jackie Lacey declined to file charges in March 2018, citing “insufficient evidence.”
Conflicting Findings and Policy Violations
The Los Angeles Police Commission ruled the shooting unjustified in April 2016. Beck, in a report to the commission, stated there was no independent evidence to support a perceived deadly threat. He explicitly labeled the shooting a “criminal act” and urged Lacey to pursue charges.
A comprehensive investigation conducted during Lacey’s administration included review of officer body-camera footage, surveillance videos, statements from ten civilian witnesses, DNA analysis, and the assessment of a nationally recognized use-of-force expert. That expert concluded Proctor’s actions were “consistent with his having observed a threat posed by Glenn,” as detailed in an 83-page memorandum released by the District Attorney’s Office.
The memorandum also detailed Glenn’s prior criminal history, including 18 arrests, 12 convictions, seven pending cases, and outstanding warrants. Toxicology reports indicated the presence of both alcohol and marijuana in Glenn’s system at the time of his death. Despite these findings, the report acknowledged that Proctor’s actions violated LAPD policy, but emphasized the differing standards of proof required for administrative versus criminal proceedings.
Reopened Investigation and Recent Developments
The case remained dormant for years until George Gascón assumed office as District Attorney. Shortly after his inauguration, Gascón appointed a special prosecutor to revisit four police shootings – including the Proctor case – where Lacey had previously declined to file charges.
NBC4 reported that Proctor was subsequently charged in the case last year, leading to his flight from the country. The circumstances surrounding his return and arrest remain unclear.
The city of Los Angeles previously settled wrongful-death lawsuits filed by Glenn’s family for $4 million. The case continues to draw scrutiny and underscores the complexities surrounding police use of force and accountability. It remains to be seen when Proctor will appear in court to face the felony murder charge.
