Former LAPD Officer Charged with Murder in 2015 Shooting of Homeless Man

Clifford Proctor, a former Los Angeles police officer, has been charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Brendon Glenn, an unarmed homeless man, in May 2015. The incident occurred when Proctor and his partner, Jonathan Kawahara, responded to reports of Glenn causing a disturbance at a Venice Beach bar. During the encounter, Proctor shot Glenn twice in the back, leading to Glenn's death in the hospital. Proctor's defense claimed he believed Glenn was reaching for his partner's gun, a narrative that has been contradicted by video evidence and testimony from Kawahara, who stated he did not perceive any threat from Glenn.

The Independent

In 2018, then-District Attorney Jackie Lacey opted not to file charges against Proctor, asserting that his actions were reasonable under the circumstances. This decision faced significant backlash, leading to Lacey's defeat in the 2020 election by George Gascón. Upon taking office, Gascón reopened the investigation into Glenn's death, resulting in Proctor's indictment on September 20, 2024. However, an arrest warrant was not issued until October 3, 2024, as authorities sought to locate Proctor.

The Independent

Despite having a murder warrant issued against him, Proctor traveled internationally, flying to Trinidad on October 2, 2024. His defense attorney, Tom Yu, characterized this trip as a "pre-planned vacation," asserting that Proctor was unaware of the warrant until his arrest at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in October 2025. During this time, Proctor had reportedly remained in the U.S. for extended periods, with plans to travel to Panama City shortly before his arrest.

The Independent

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office faced scrutiny for its handling of Proctor's case. Greg Risling, a spokesperson for the DA's office, acknowledged that investigators monitored Proctor's residence but failed to take action before he was apprehended at LAX. The warrant issued for Proctor was restricted to "in-state pick-up only," which limited the ability of authorities to arrest him outside California. This restriction has raised questions about the effectiveness of the warrant and the overall response from law enforcement.

The Independent

Proctor was released on $100,000 bail in November 2025 and has been granted permission to travel for work. As of now, prosecutors have not made a decision regarding whether to proceed with a trial. Proctor is expected to return to court next month as the legal proceedings continue.

The Independent

• “I didn’t feel or see Mr. Glenn trying to disarm me,” — Jonathan Kawahara, LAPD Officer

The Independent

• “If we were aware of his location, he would’ve been taken into custody,” — Greg Risling, LA County DA’s Office

The Independent

• “The warrant was restricted to ‘in-state pick-up only’ and did not permit extradition to California,” — CBP Spokesman

The Independent

This case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding police accountability and the legal system's response to use-of-force incidents involving law enforcement officers.

The Independent