Independent autopsy shows Dijon Kizzee was struck 15 times by LA Sheriff’s deputies, says family attorneys

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An independent autopsy ordered by the family of 29-year-old Dijon Kizzee found that he was struck 15 times by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies last month, attorneys for the family said.

Dijon Kizzee independent autopsy findings

Seven of the shots fired by deputies struck Kizzee on his back side, including arms and hands, said Attorney Carl Douglas. The fatal shot struck Kizzee in lung.

“He did not die instantly, he was writhing on the ground in pain when officers opened up on him,” Douglas said.

LASD investigators looking into the fatal shooting said last week that Kizzee picked up a gun he had dropped before two deputies fired 19 rounds.

The independent autopsy was conducted by Dr. John Hiserodt, who found that Kizzee bled to death after blood filled his lungs. Hiserodt believes Kizzee was shot even as he was moving around, likely writhing in pain, according to a statement from Douglas.

“The deputies who fired their weapons, called for back-up, and spent several critical minutes waiting for back-up to arrive, while Dijon was bleeding to death in the street,” the statement said.

“The independent autopsy supports my contention that this shooting was an execution, plain and simple.”

Douglas said the incident shows excessive force and that Kizzee was not posing a deadly threat to anyone.

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