Antonio Bland, 25

March 4, 2007, 6:14 p.m.

Antonio Bland, 25, a black man, was shot through the chin by police at Gramercy Place and Exposition Boulevard in Exposition Park and died at 6:14 p.m. on Sunday, March 4.

Los Angeles police gave the following account:

LAPD Southwest Division officers had been sent to a robbery call at a mini-market at 3781 Western Ave. On their way, a passerby flagged them down and gave them a description of the robbery suspect. They saw Bland near the corner of Gramercy and Exposition, identified him as the man they sought and tried to arrest him.

Bland ran and the officers chased him about 100 feet. Bland then turned, pulled a handgun from his waistband and aimed it at the officers, police said. Officer John Davis, 26, shot him. A handgun was recovered from the scene, they said. Bland is the suspect in two other robberies the same day, one of a nearby Burger King, the other of a discount store.

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Six reader comments

As Antonio's very close family member he in fact did have a drug problem. He also was a great family member who made and chose wrong decision in life. No that day he was not robbing innocent people or businessess to feed his family - he did so out of the need that fueled his addiction. It is quite sad how drugs and gang and misfortune have plagued the inner city black community.

I will always cherish the young memory of Antonio as a young loving boy - BEFORE - he turned down the fateful route of drugs and violence.

And by all account - no Antonio Bland was not a waisted life - Antonio Bland was a man who loved his family and who loved God but drugs ruled his world and led to his untimely death.

May God Bless Antonio Bland's soul.

Your Family Will Always Cherish Your Memory, Love Auntie

— Family Friend July 24, 2012 at 1:26 a.m.