Family of Man Who Died in Inglewood Police Custody Pursues Legal Action
Cause of Death for Inglewood Man Deferred Amid Legal Action
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner has deferred the cause of death for Bryan Bostic, indicating that further tests and lab work are necessary to determine the circumstances surrounding his passing.
Bostic’s family has initiated legal proceedings against the city of Inglewood following his death during an arrest by local police last month. The encounter, which was captured on cellphone video, shows Bostic in a struggle with officers shortly before he died.
Talia Castillo, Bostic’s aunt, expressed the family’s anguish, stating, “For his life to be taken in such a sudden and tragic way, it’s unacceptable, and we really need answers.” Alongside their attorney, the family filed initial legal claims against the city related to Bostic’s death on Monday.
In newly surfaced video footage, Bostic is seen face-down on the ground, with an officer on his back and another officer beside them holding what appears to be a stun gun. Additional officers subsequently arrive to restrain Bostic. According to family attorney Denisse Gastelum, Bostic was heard saying he couldn’t breathe before paramedics were summoned, although this part was not captured on video.
"Instead of providing him, transporting him to a local hospital, a local ER, a local ICU, they transport him, his unresponsive body, if not deceased body, to the station,” Gastelum stated.
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner’s report indicates that Bostic died while in custody of law enforcement. The cause of death remains pending further investigation, as more testing is required.
Gastelum revealed that the family opted for a private autopsy, which she believes supports their claim of excessive force being employed during Bostic’s arrest. Last month, family members gathered at the location of the arrest, demanding additional information from police about the incident.
According to city officials, Bostic was pronounced dead on March 10 after being taken into custody. Inglewood Mayor James Butts, in an interview last month, noted that the matter is still under investigation but expressed his belief that no wrongdoing occurred. He confirmed that officers used force during the arrest but stated that Bostic was evaluated by the Los Angeles County Fire Department before being transported to the police station.
“Paramedics came and examined him, cleared him to be taken to the station and booked,” Butts said. “When they got to the station and went to the back seat, they saw that he was unconscious and didn’t appear to be breathing.”
With the Medical Examiner’s investigation ongoing, the exact cause and circumstances surrounding Bostic’s death remain unclear. The legal claims filed on Monday represent the first step necessary before formalizing a lawsuit, which Gastelum indicated will occur in the coming weeks.
Inglewood’s police department did not provide additional information regarding Bostic’s arrest, referring inquiries to the mayor’s office, which stated that they have no further information to share at this time.
