Linda Becerra Moran. RIP
A lawsuit is being pursued against the City of Los Angeles following the fatal shooting of Linda Becerra Moran, a transgender woman, by an LAPD officer. Attorneys, Moran’s family, and LGBTQ+ activists held a press conference Friday demanding justice and answers.
Incident Details
On February 7th, at approximately 9:40 a.m., LAPD officers responded to a 911 call from a motel in Pacoima regarding a possible kidnapping. Moran, who made the call, reported being held against her will.
Bodycam footage released by the LAPD shows officers entering the motel room. Moran, who appeared distressed, indicated she had been assaulted. The footage reveals that Moran then armed herself with a knife and, despite officers’ commands to drop it, advanced towards them. An officer then discharged their weapon, striking Moran.
The LAPD stated that Moran had expressed suicidal ideations and that officers attempted to render aid. She was transported to a hospital but died on February 27th after weeks on life support.
Community and Legal Response
At the press conference, community members, including LGBTQ+ advocates and Moran’s family, asserted that she was a victim of sex trafficking who had called 911 for help after experiencing sexual and physical abuse.
Denisse Gastélum of Gastélum Law argued that the shooting was unjustified, stating that Moran was experiencing a mental health crisis and posed no threat to officers. She criticized Officer Jacob Sanchez for failing to follow proper protocol for dealing with a victim of sexual violence in crisis.
Soma Snakeoil of The Sidewalk Project and Leigh LaChapelle of the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking also spoke, claiming that Moran was met with further violence and misgendering by the police instead of receiving the help she requested. They argued that a mental health team should have been dispatched instead of police officers.
Advocates called for increased community-based solutions to prevent similar incidents.
Gastélum announced that a government claim has been filed, and a federal civil rights lawsuit will follow within a month. The lawsuit will include approximately 15 state and federal claims, including wrongful death, violations of Moran’s 4th and 14th Amendment rights, and damages for pre-death pain and suffering. The legal team is seeking $100 million in damages.
