There are many doubts and few answers in the mysterious death of Eugene Youngblood, a 42-year-old African-American man who died in the custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department at the Lancaster Station.
A suspected drug overdose death doesn’t explain why Eugene had a black eye and a broken nose, nor why one of his nieces wasn’t notified that her uncle had died when she was on the phone line with a sheriff. who had indicated to him that the African-American man was going to be released.
At approximately 5:45 p.m. on June 5, Youngblood was booked into the Lancaster Jail and placed in a cell. At about 9:30 p.m., he was facing a misdemeanor charge for allegedly attempting to sell narcotics on the street.
“Yeah! “They murdered him!” said Gina Youngblood, Eugene’s sister, during a press conference at the offices of attorney Bradge Gage in Woodland Hills.
Eugene was among a group of people who were approached by sheriff’s deputies near the intersection of West 10th Street and Avenue I. He was apparently going to get coffee when an argument with deputies occurred.
“I want to know what happened, why he died, why he didn’t come back alive and why when I was talking to them on the phone they didn’t tell me that he was dead,” asked Vanessa Larry, Eugene’s niece. “They just lied to us; They told us that they were going to release him and that I didn’t have to go. [a la Estación del Sheriff]”.
A day later, the family was notified that Eugene Youngblood was dead.
The young Youngblood is the fourteenth victim to lose his life in custody in Los Angeles County jails, in 2024. In March, Latino Francisco Núñez, also in Lancaster, was found dead under strange circumstances.
In the case of Eugene, his relatives also question the probable falsification of his signature on the official report 02271340 of his booking and report of properties he had, before being imprisoned.
The document, prepared by Officer Zimmer, states that Eugene reported bringing $1.90 with him.
His niece stated that when he left home he had $500.00. He was also wearing a gold chain, and his cell phone disappeared.
Neither the money, nor the gold chain nor the cell phone were returned to the family.
Two doses of Narcan
Eugene Youngblood was pronounced dead at 9:32 p.m. on June 5.
According to what Vanessa Larry was told, her uncle was given two doses of Narcan in jail.
“I asked why? And they said “just in case he took something.”
Narcan is a medication that can save someone from an overdose of heroin, fentanyl, or prescription opioid medications.
Why did they do it? “They don’t even know if she was under the influence or any drugs, or if she took any substances,” the grieving woman said. “They never gave me any reason.”
Larry assures that his uncle did not suffer from medical problems.
Videos and claim
Brad Gage, attorney for the Youngblood family, provided La Opinión with a copy of the legal request for videos to the LASD Lancaster Station, showing the places where Eugene Wesley Youngblood was from 5:30 p.m. on June 5 until 10 p.m. :30 pm
The petition includes images of the moments when he was booked and transported to jail, the investigation carried out inside the jail by homicide detectives from the correctional custody office, as well as video images from the body cameras of the agents who had contact with the deceased.
The lawyer also sent a government claim to the executive officer of the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors, as a prelude to a lawsuit for alleged violation of Eugene Youngblood’s civil rights that includes claims for negligence and medical malpractice.
“We have been informed that Eugene was never taken to the hospital,” the lawyer said. “Prisons have an obligation to protect inmates and provide medical care when a correctional facility, in this case Lancaster, is deliberately indifferent to the health and well-being of those in its care.”
“That is a violation of civil rights and creates great harm and devastation for a family,” he says.
The complaint includes damages to the Ralph Act, which provides civil remedies for people who have been subjected to acts of violence or threats of violence; prejudice to the Bane Act.
Also known as the Tom Bane Civil Rights Act, it is a California civil code of law that prohibits people from interfering with a person’s constitutional rights through force or threat of violence, other than “deliberate indifference” in violation. of Eugene Youngblood’s civil rights, and wrongful death.
Independent autopsy
Attorney Gage announced that he and Eugene Youngblood’s family are ready to request a second autopsy, regardless of the “official” result of the Los Angeles County medical examiner, which would be funded by the Kaepernick Foundation.
Colin Kaepernick was an American football player for the San Francisco 49ers, who is now an activist and defends civil rights.
“This case [de Eugene Youngblood] It can be very big, because they have to explain to everyone’s satisfaction what happened and why he died,” he indicated. “It’s quite mysterious. It is very worrying and if in a society we want to value everyone’s life, there is no situation where the law says that if you are from a certain area or if you had some history in the past, you can be treated like a second class citizen ”.
“We are all equal, behind the skin there is a person with feelings, who cares about their well-being and that of their families,” said the lawyer. “When someone is killed unnecessarily, we have to look at that and whether it is law enforcement that is abusing power.”
“When killing without justification, they have to be held accountable…, because today it was Mr. Youngblood. Tomorrow it could be your brother, your sister, your son or your father. And that is why this is so important to protect society,” he concluded.
Sheriff’s Response
Without mentioning why Eugene Youngblood was not taken to a hospital, or why his face had a black eye and a broken nose, LASD authorities responded: “The Department has not officially received this claim, but it takes takes every death in custody seriously and strives to make every effort to prevent similar deaths in the future.”
In the statement, the sheriff’s office added: “The Department thoroughly investigates each in-custody death for issues of policy and procedures and evaluation of care,” it adds. “Department oversight bodies are encouraged to participate in the review process and be present to discuss corrective or preventive actions. When there is evidence that Department policies and procedures were not followed, appropriate administrative action is taken and staff are held accountable.”
The information adds that: “On June 5, 2024, homicide investigators responded to the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station regarding the death of inmate Eugene Wesley Youngblood. Inmate Youngblood was arrested by Lancaster Station deputies on June 5, 2024 for possession of narcotics for sale.”
“Investigators discovered that inmate Youngblood was found unresponsive on a bunk inside the station jail by an officer conducting a routine security check. “Deputies provided medical assistance and administered two doses of Narcan until members of the Los Angeles County Fire Department arrived.”
“Inmate Youngblood was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of inmate Youngblood’s death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner.
The autopsy is pending. To date, investigators have found no evidence of use of force during the arrest of inmate Youngblood, nor during his incarceration at the Lancaster Station Jail. “Investigators found no signs of trauma on inmate Youngblood.”