Groups Meet with LAPD Over Police Shooting of Muslim Man (LOS ANGELES, CA, 7/18/08) - On Wednesday, July 16, a group of Southern California Muslim leaders met with Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officials to discuss concerns about the investigation of the fatal shooting by a police officer of a Calif. Muslim man in March.

The Greater Los Angeles Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) requested the meeting to seek answers and raise concerns about some circumstances in the case.

On March 25, 2008, Mohammad Usman Chaudhry, a 21-year-old highly functioning autistic man, was shot multiple times and killed by an LAPD officer at approximately 4 a.m. in the 1400 block of Curson Avenue. Chaudhry's family was not informed of his death for 21 days.

Muslim leaders at the meeting included CAIR-LA Staff Attorney Ameena Qazi and Civil Rights Coordinator Affad Shaikh; Muslim Public Affairs Council Executive Director Salam Al-Marayati; Dafer Dakhil of the Omar Ibn Al-Khattab Foundation; and legal counsel of the Chaudhry family. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell; LAPD Lt. Douglas Miller, Community Relations Officer; LAPD Inspector General Andre Birotte Jr.; and representatives of the LAPD Force Investigation Division all joined the meeting.

"We appreciate the LAPD officials taking the time to address some of the concerns surrounding the shooting," said Qazi. "We have shared the results of the meeting with the Chaudhry family, and will continue to follow up on this case as we await the outcome of the investigation."

The investigation process, as outlined by the LAPD representatives in the meeting, is generally detailed and expected to be completed by November, at the earliest.

CAIR-LA representatives will give an update on the case to LAPD Muslim Community Forum members. The Forum was started by LAPD Chief William Bratton to reach out to and re-establish trust with Los Angeles' Muslim community. The Forum's first meeting was held on Feb. 21, 2008.

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CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

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Council on American-Islamic Relations
Greater Los Angeles Area
2180 W. Crescent Ave., Suite F
Anaheim, CA 92801

http://www.CAIR.com/

Phone: 714-776-1847
Fax: 714-776-8340

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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Coordinator Munira Syeda
Phone: (714) 776-1847
E-mail: info@losangeles.cair.com