The family of Keith “Pooter” Porter Jr. is calling on public officials to respond to their demands to provide a transparent investigation into what they believe was “murder.”
Porter, the 43-year-old father of two daughters, was shot and killed by an off-duty U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent on New Year’s Eve. Porter was allegedly outside of his Northridge apartment, shooting a rifle into the air in celebration, when confronted by an off-duty ICE agent. What transpired next is unknown, but before the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) could arrive, the ICE agent, suited up in his tactical gear, had ended Porter’s life. The agent claimed he exchanged fire with Porter, but that account is being questioned.
“He has changed his story at least three times,” said Jsane Tyler, Porter’s cousin.
On Friday, Jan 9, Porter’s family and community members, including Black Lives Matter, met with LA District Attorney Nathan Hochman. They wanted to know what steps were being taken and if he would be bringing charges against the agent.
His response seemed to go in a circle.
“He (Hochman) said if the LAPD Homicide Division brings him the evidence, then he would consider bringing charges, but he can’t bring forth charges unless they actually bring him evidence,” said Tyler.
They also attended the Police Commission Meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 12, but again received no reassurance that this case was a priority and a thorough investigation was truly underway.
During the public comments period of the meeting, Tyler addressed LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell and the commission. She pointed to the lack of police protocol that night and the failure to properly question or charge the ICE agent as a suspect.
“The night that my cousin lost his life, no procedures were followed by an off-duty officer [ICE agent] that found someone as a perceivable threat, because there was no perceivable threat,” she said.
“When are we going to press charges on this murder? When is [the ICE agent] going to be named? When is he going to be arrested?” said Tyler.
“That officer [ICE agent] was never told to surrender his service weapon. He was never given a sobriety check. … He was never taken down for proper interrogation,” she said. “When is there going to be value placed on our lives?
“We need the suspect arrested. We need this suspect charged, and we need him prosecuted,” she said. “Had that been anyone else, procedures would have been followed and this would have been involuntary manslaughter at least. So I urge you guys to really, regardless of federal intervention, help us – help his family, help our community, really get justice.
“I implore you guys here today to work with all of your might, [to] use the power of your positions to help us as a family seek justice for my cousin, to seek justice for Keith Porter,” she said.
Tyler questioned the training and vetting of ICE agents whose tactics have been out of control.
“Who do you think is answering the call for these positions [as ICE agents]? People who already have no value for our life, and now feel like they have a green light to now play G.I. Joe, to play vigilante,” she said. “There is no humanity in that.
“[Keith] had only lived in that complex for 11 months, yet all of his neighbors knew him,” she said. “They all spoke about how kind he was, how helpful, [and] that he always had a joke and a smile for them.” The ICE agent, on the other hand, wasn’t known to his neighbors, Tyler said.
“The community hasn’t been told anything. With the exception of city councilmember Eunice Hernandez, we have not seen any public official, including Mayor Bass, stepping up to say anything about the murder of Keith Porter Jr.,” said Melanie Abdullah, co-founder of Black Lives Matter LA.
She said the community will ultimately have to step up to seek justice.
Both a petition and a Gofundme page are being circulated online. The petition holds ICE, police and government officials accountable.
“His loss has left a deep void in our family, especially for his two young daughters who now face life without their loving father,” his mother, Franceola Armstrong wrote.
“Keith always put his family first and was known for his big heart and willingness to help anyone in need. He was a devoted father who cherished every moment with his daughters, guiding them with love and patience. His absence is felt every day, and we are doing our best to honor his memory by supporting his girls in every way we can.”
For more information on donations, the go fund me page is; https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-keiths-daughters-after-tragedy.
To find the Keith Porter Jr. petition, go to:
https://campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/name-and-arrest-the-ice-agent-who-killed-keithporter.