PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Pasadena’s police chief is inviting the FBI to investigate the death of a college student who was shot and killed by officers last month.
Chief Phillip Sanchez says the FBI would add another independent review to the investigation of 19-year-old Kendrec McDade’s March 24 death.
Sanchez’s invitation comes days after McDade’s parents sued police, saying his death was part of a pattern of Pasadena police killing black people.
Officers say a 911 caller led them to believe McDade was an armed robbery suspect when they opened fire. He was unarmed.
FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller says the federal law enforcement agency is investigating to determine whether a violation of federal civil rights was a factor.
Eimiller says the FBI routinely assesses incidents where questions of civil rights violations are raised.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.