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

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A former Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officer has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the 2015 shooting death of Brendan Glenn, an unarmed homeless man in Venice Beach. The charge marks a major development in a case that has been under public scrutiny for nearly a decade.

Prosecutors announced that Clifford Proctor, the officer involved, was formally indicted after a renewed investigation found sufficient evidence to proceed with criminal charges. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said the decision followed years of delays and reviews under multiple administrations.

The fatal shooting occurred on May 5, 2015, outside a bar near Windward Avenue and Pacific Avenue in Venice Beach. Video footage and witness reports showed that Glenn was on the ground when Proctor fired two shots into his back during a scuffle.
An internal LAPD investigation later concluded that Glenn did not pose an immediate threat to officers or bystanders at the time of the shooting.

The Los Angeles Police Commission, the city’s civilian oversight board, had previously ruled the shooting unjustified, but earlier prosecutors declined to file charges, citing insufficient evidence. The case became a rallying point for activists calling for greater police accountability in the wake of several national incidents involving the use of force.

In 2019, the City of Los Angeles settled a wrongful-death lawsuit with Glenn’s family for approximately $4 million. Community advocates said the new charges represent a long-overdue step toward justice.

Proctor, who left the LAPD shortly after the incident, is expected to face trial next year. If convicted, he could face a lengthy prison sentence.
The case is being closely watched by civil rights organizations, which view it as a potential precedent for reopening other long-stalled investigations into police conduct.