911 Call Gone Wrong: Why Police Fatally Shot Black Woman Seeking Help?

A 27-year-old woman, Niani Finlayson, lost her life in Lancaster, a city in the northern region of Los Angeles  County, in a police shooting. The tragedy unfolded on December 4, when Finlayson, seeking help from law enforcement, called 911 to report that she was under attack by a former boyfriend. What transpired next has ignited a wave of concern and calls for justice.

The call to the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) described Finlayson's desperate plea for help, stating that her ex-boyfriend was refusing to leave her alone. When deputies arrived at the scene, screams and sounds of struggle were audible. Inside the apartment with her nine-year-old daughter, Finlayson had sustained injuries from her ex-boyfriend and urgently sought his removal, according to her family’s attorneys.

Disturbing Sequence of Events

The LASD's official statement alleges that Finlayson, armed with a knife, posed a threat to her boyfriend, prompting Deputy Ty Shelton to open fire. The family vehemently disputes this account, asserting that Finlayson was a victim of domestic violence who posed no threat to the officers. Unfortunately, the exact circumstances leading to the fatal shooting remain unclear, as LASD has yet to release body-camera footage. The coroner's report indicates that she died  from "multiple gunshot wounds."

Deputy Ty Shelton's Troubling History

This tragic incident is even more distressing when considering Deputy Ty Shelton's history. Three years prior, Shelton had been involved in a similar case where he fatally shot Michael Thomas in 2020. Thomas, unarmed, had been involved in a verbal argument with his girlfriend when law enforcement arrived. The circumstances surrounding Thomas's death raised questions, but prosecutors declined to file charges against Shelton.

Niani Finlayson, a mother of two and an aspiring nurse, becomes another victim in a disturbing pattern of law enforcement responses to domestic violence. The Finlayson family has filed a legal claim against the county and the sheriff’s department, alleging wrongful death, assault, and civil rights violations.

Calls for Accountability and Reform

The LASD, in response to the mounting pressure, has committed to releasing body-camera footage and initiating a thorough review process. The district attorney’s office will determine the legality of the shooting. However, questions about accountability and the need for systemic change persist. Local advocates in the Antelope Valley region have been vocal in demanding that Deputy Ty Shelton be fired and prosecuted. 

Already under scrutiny for its treatment of black women in the region, LASD faces intensified pressure to address systemic issues. In recent incidents, deputies have been accused of using brutal force, further highlighting concerns about the department's approach to policing in communities, especially those of colour.

Niani Finlayson's untimely death has brought to light critical questions about law enforcement's response to domestic violence calls and the need for comprehensive reform. As the investigation unfolds, the public eagerly awaits the release of body-camera footage and a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. The call for justice resonates not only for Finlayson's family but for a community demanding accountability and systemic change in policing practices.

Personal views expressed by the author are their own