City officials in Palmdale, California are officially backing the call for an independant investigation and autopsy to be done in the death of Robert Fuller, a 24-year-old Black man who was found hanging from a tree in Palmdale earlier this week. His body was found hanging at Poncitlan square next to City Hall in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday, June 10th. The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department ruled the death a suicide; however, his family and many others who've heard the story are not convinced that this was self-inflicted, and are calling for a new investigation into his death, believing it to be a lynching.
David McNew/Getty Images
After initially standing by the ruling, Palmdale city officials have since released a new statement, expressing their support for the call for an independant investigation. The statement was shared by the City of Palmdale on Saturday, June 13th.
"Following the death of Mr. Robert Fuller, the City of Palmdale is officially supporting the call for an independent investigation and an independent autopsy of Mr. Fuller who was found dead on June 10, 2020 at Poncitlan Square in Palmdale," the statement reads. "The City of Palmdale is joining the family and the community’s call for justice, and we do support a full investigation into his death. We will settle for nothing less than a thorough accounting of this matter. The City has already reached out to Mr. Fuller’s family, offering help and support, and will do everything possible to assist Mr. Fuller’s family during this difficult time as a complete vetting of his death is investigated. We join with our community and Robert Fuller’s family in mourning his tragic death."
David McNew/Getty Images
The Palmdale Sheriff originally claimed that there were no working security cameras in the area where Fuller was found; however, considering his body was found right next to City Hall, many find this highly suspect. Investigative journalist Billy Jensen pointed out that several businesses in the surrounding area also have outdoor security cameras.
As pointed out by Complex, Fuller is also the second Black man to be found hanging from a tree in California within the last two months. On May 31, 38-year-old Malcolm Harsch was found dead in Victorville, California, a hanging also ruled as a suicide.
A Change.org petition demanding "a thorough and transparent investigation by Palmdale PD" into Fuller's death has nearly reached its goal of 200,000 signatures. Fuller's sister, Diamond Alexander, also started a GoFundMe page to raise money for funeral costs. It has raised nearly $200,000 as of Sunday morning.
L.A. Police Unarmed Black Man Michael Thomas In His Home
Michael Thomas, an unarmed Black Man, was shot and killed in his home on Thursday morning. Police said he was reaching for their firearm. The man's fiancee says otherwise.
As protests across the country demand for police to be held accountable for their actions, law enforcement officials are still abusing their power without repercussions. According to the Los Angeles Times, LA County Sheriffs deputies fatally show Michael Thomas, a 62-year-old unarmed Black man who was inside of his home when he was killed, though many believe the police's account of what happened is dubious.
Police responded to domestic violence report at Thomas' home on Thursday morning after they said his fiancee called 9. Deputy James Nagao said that she doesn't actually speak to the operator, though the phone line was left open for the operator to hear what was going on in the background. "For several minutes, arguing and fighting between the caller and the suspect can be heard in the background," Nagao said. Police claim that Thomas failed to comply with orders and attempted to grab one of the deputy's firearm which is when he was shot dead.
However, the man's fiancee refutes what the police are saying. “I heard Michael say, ‘I have a right to not let you in my house,'” Thomas' fiancee Kimberly said. She added that Thomas was only trying to turn him away while practicing his fourth amendment right which is meant to protect citizens from unreasonable searches in their home.
Bradley Gage, a lawyer for Thomas' family member, said he's in possession of "good evidence that the claim that Mr. Thomas was going for a gun is completely false."
He added, "If he wasn’t going for a gun, and the officers are lying about that, why would they be lying?... There’s only one logical explanation: They’re trying to cover it up.”
Gage said the death could've been prevented especially since they entered the home "without any evidence of any injuries or harm to the fiancee." Thomas' family said it was only a verbal dispute, though police claimed that his fiancee later told police she had been assaulted.
“That’s exactly why we have a fourth amendment,” Gage said. “It’s to avoid the kinds of illegal searches and seizures where the police come into people’s homes and harm them or, here, kill them.”
Unfortunately, this happened within the same 24 hours that Robert Fuller's body was found hanging in front of City Hall in Palmdale, California which is within the same proximity as Lancaster.
Robert Fuller’s Body Found Hanging From Tree In Palmdale, California
Robert Fuller, a 23-year-old Black man, was found hanging from a tree next to city hall and officials are calling it a suicide.
The world is outraged after the death of Robert Fuller, a 23-year-old man whose body was found hanging from a tree next to city hall in Palmdale, California.
His body was discovered early this morning and Lt. Brandon Dean of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau is noting that the circumstances surrounding his passing point to suicide. The public isn't that easily convinced though.
All across social media, people are calling for an independent autopsy to be performed as a large number of folks believe this to be a lynching.
Fuller's older sister, Diamond Alexander, spoke about his death on Facebook.
"Words can’t describe how much my family is hurting right now," she wrote. "Today we just got word that Robert body was found hanging in a tree out in Palmdale. It’s still under investigation. If anyone seen anything please come forward. Brother you will forever be in our heart. RIP."
There have been no reports of a suicide note left or anything else that would point to this being a suicide.
The city of Palmdale is urging residents to take care of their mental health following this incident.
"The City of Palmdale extends its sincere condolences and sympathies to the family and friends of the individual who tragically passed away in Palmdale on Wednesday. Our thoughts and prayers are with them," wrote the city's official Facebook page. "City Manager J.J. Murphy received confirmation that this unfortunate incident was a death by suicide. Sadly, it is not the first such incident since the COVID-19 pandemic began."
Rest in peace, Robert Fuller. Say his name.
Recent Posts
Listen to Orlando Weeks’ simmering new single ‘Dig’ featuring Wet Leg’s Rhian Teasdale
Neil Young & Crazy Horse – FU##IN UP
The Rolling Stones – NRG Stadium, Houston, April 28, 2024
ZEROBASEONE announce 2024 ‘The First Tour’ tour
Watch Vampire Weekend cover Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen at New Orleans Jazz Festival