Share
LA MESA — A San Diego-area police officer who struck a woman with a beanbag projectile during a protest in May, leaving her blind in one eye, acted reasonably and won’t face criminal charges, authorities said Wednesday.
Eric Knudson, a police detective in La Mesa, thought that 59-year-old Leslie Furcron had thrown a rock at officers during a May 30 racial injustice and police bias protest in the city that followed the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.
Furcron actually threw an empty drink can but Knudson’s belief “was not unreasonable given the totality of circumstances the officers were dealing with over several hours of protesting and rioting,” according to a review by San Diego County District Attorney.
The can didn’t strike any officers. The demonstration started peacefully but later rocks and bottles were hurled at officers and through Police Department windows. Police used beanbag rounds and tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The DA’s review said there was no evidence that Knudson was aiming at Furcron’s head when he fired the projectile. The detective said he was aiming for the center of her body.
The beanbag struck her in the head, leaving her blind in one eye. She is suing the city.
Furcron’s attorney, Dante Pride, told the San Diego Union-Tribune that she suffered “life-altering damage the DA passes off as ‘Oh well, it was a mistake.’”
“It makes absolutely no sense to me,” Pride said.
Knudson remains on paid administrative leave while the Police Department continues to investigate. The incident also is under federal investigation.
RELATED TOPICS:
US Supreme Court Justices Disclose Income From Book Deals and Teaching
15 hours ago
Fresno Approves $2.4 Billion Budget. What’s In, What’s Out?
16 hours ago
The S&P 500 Is Nearing a Record. Really.
16 hours ago
Kings County Sheriff Announces Retirement After Nearly 30 Years in Law Enforcement
12 hours ago
General Mills to Remove Artificial Colors From All Its US Cereals and Foods
12 hours ago
How Trump Shifted on Iran Under Pressure From Israel
14 hours ago
Trump Calls for Iran’s ‘Unconditional Surrender’ as Israel-Iran Air War Rages On
15 hours ago
US Supreme Court Justices Disclose Income From Book Deals and Teaching
15 hours ago
Fresno Approves $2.4 Billion Budget. What’s In, What’s Out?
16 hours ago
The S&P 500 Is Nearing a Record. Really.
16 hours ago
Kings County Sheriff Announces Retirement After Nearly 30 Years in Law Enforcement
12 hours ago
General Mills to Remove Artificial Colors From All Its US Cereals and Foods
12 hours ago
How Trump Shifted on Iran Under Pressure From Israel
14 hours ago
Trump Calls for Iran’s ‘Unconditional Surrender’ as Israel-Iran Air War Rages On
15 hours ago
US Supreme Court Justices Disclose Income From Book Deals and Teaching
15 hours ago
Fresno Approves $2.4 Billion Budget. What’s In, What’s Out?
16 hours ago
The S&P 500 Is Nearing a Record. Really.
16 hours ago

Granite Park Eviction Lawsuit Heads Toward Trial

Missing Clovis Man Found Dead. No Foul Play Suspected

Kings County Sheriff Announces Retirement After Nearly 30 Years in Law Enforcement
