LOS ANGELES (CNS) — A Torrance police officer was charged today with assault for an on-duty, non-fatal shooting three years ago, the third current or former member of that city's police force to face criminal charges in just over a week.
David Chandler, Jr. is facing one felony count of assault by an officer for firing multiple rounds at a man who came out of a home while allegedly holding a knife and then walking away from police on Aug. 27, 2018, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
Chandler is accused of using excessive force by continuing to fire as the man walked away, while his partner fired once, according to the District Attorney's Office.
Chandler and other officers initially responded to a home where a woman said her grandson had smashed a rear sliding glass door, but officers were not able to find the man, according to the District Attorney's Office, which noted that the officers again responded after the man returned to the house.
Chandler's current status with the Torrance Police Department was not immediately available.
In a statement announcing the latest case, the county's top prosecutor said,
"Excessive force by law enforcement authorities breeds mistrust in our communities," District Attorney George Gascón said. "Police officers must work within the same laws they are sworn to uphold."
An arraignment date has not been set.
The charges come eight days after prosecutors filed a case against former Torrance Police Department Officers Christopher Tomsic, 29, and Cody Weldin, 28.
Tomsic and Weldin are charged with vandalism and conspiracy to commit a crime involving a swastika that was spray-painted inside an impounded vehicle in January 2020.
The two pleaded not guilty and are awaiting a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to allow the case against them to proceed to trial.
The investigation turned up communications involving more than a dozen officers "who were identified exchanging racist, discriminatory, homophobic and antisemitic messages," Gascón told reporters at an Aug. 19 news conference after Tomsic and Weldin were charged.
Torrance Police Chief Jeremiah Hart said earlier this month that Tomsic and Weldin are "no longer employed," and that 13 officers have been relieved of duty for "allegations relating to misconduct" as police continue their administrative investigation in conjunction with the district attorney's probe, which is also ongoing.