Kendrec McDade case could stir tensions between blacks and Latinos

While the Trayvon Martin story has largely consumed the media spotlight for much of the last few weeks, the case of another slain teen -- Kendrec McDade -- has begun to pick up steam...

TheGrio Staff

Apr 12, 2012

While the Trayvon Martin story has largely consumed the media spotlight for much of the last few weeks, the case of another slain teen — Kendrec McDade — has begun to pick up steam. McDade was involved in a robbery in Pasadena, Calif. and some believe it was an inaccurate 911 call (which falsely claimed he was armed) that got him killed. KPCC reports:

Two weeks after 19-year-old Kendrec McDade was shot and killed by Pasadena police, much about how or why it happened remains a mystery. But some of the conversations left in its wake have revived longstanding tensions between blacks and Latinos in Los Angeles.

McDade’s fatal shooting by police did not surprise the folks at a recent rally — around 75 concerned parents, residents and church leaders in the South L.A. city of Carson, which has a large African-American community. McDade was shot for being a young black man, they said; for being perceived as armed and dangerous.

McDade was shot by two white police officers, but the Pasadena police chief is Latino, as is the 911 caller who lied about McDade having a weapon. In a lawsuit that has been filed by the McDade family, their attorney alleges a pattern of abuse toward African-Americans by another Latino Pasadena police officer, who was involved in the early investigation.

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