Questions Arise About Inglewood Police Investigation After Man Dies Post-Arrest
Bryan Bostic’s Death in Police Custody Sparks Legal Action
INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The death of Bryan Bostic while in police custody has raised serious concerns from his family and prompted legal action following an encounter with Inglewood police on March 10.
Bostic was stopped by officers at the intersection of Hillcrest and Locust. During the confrontation, which was partially captured on cellphone video shared with his family, Bostic expressed confusion over the arrest, stating he was on his way to visit his mother. Witnesses reported a struggle ensued between Bostic and the officers.
Denisse Gastelum, the family’s attorney, has raised questions about the police’s actions following the incident. She claims that although an ambulance and the coroner were dispatched, Bostic was taken to the Inglewood Police Department instead of a hospital. His body was later retrieved by the coroner.
The family has expressed frustration over the lack of information from the police department regarding the circumstances of Bostic’s arrest. Gastelum noted, "We don’t even know if the officers are still out there working!" The situation intensified when the family received a video circulated on social media showing a cargo handler at LAX mocking the container that held Bostic’s body.
In response to the distressing circumstances, Bostic’s family plans to pursue legal action against the city of Inglewood, the police department, and LAX. They have formally delivered demands for evidence, stating, "We don’t even know why he was stopped," according to Bostic’s cousin.
Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts addressed the situation, stating that the city and police department are awaiting autopsy results from the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office, which he called "a critical component to understand the cause of death." He confirmed that the Inglewood Police Department is conducting an internal investigation while an independent inquiry is being conducted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Furthermore, Mayor Butts mentioned that the department has been exploring an upgrade to its police automation systems, which includes body-worn cameras, as part of a package currently under negotiation. The city plans to present this initiative to the City Council once the process is completed, offering condolences to Bostic’s family in the meantime.
