Homicide Report > Lejoy Grissom, 27
Lejoy Grissom, 27
Died April 25, 2010 at 12:02 p.m.
Lejoy Grissom, a 27-year-old black man, was shot and killed by a Culver City police officer Sunday, April 25, at Motor Avenue and Venice Boulevard in Palms, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.
Grissom was shot after police officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at an electronics store about 12:15 p.m., according to L.A. County Sheriff's Department officials who are investigating his death. According to witnesses, the robber brandished a chrome handgun and fled the location with merchandise from the store.
While patrolling the area, a Culver City police officer saw a car driving unusually and noticed that the passenger, Grissom, matched the description given of the suspected electronics store robber, officials said.
Investigators said the officer pulled the car over. While getting Grissom and the female driver to exit the car, the officer fired his weapon, fatally wounding Grissom, they said.
Sheriff's Lt. Dave Dolson told the Associated Press: Grissom "steps out of the car and at some point, despite commands to keep his hands up, he drops his hands to his waistband area. He made some furtive moves, and so one of the officers thought he was going for a gun and so shot him."
Grissom was taken to a hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Authorities said Grissom's sister Layla Grissom, a 20-year old black woman, was driving the vehicle. She was arrested at the scene and, due to allegations that she was involved in a felony that led to the shooting, was arrested in connection with her brother's death.
According to the felony complaint filed by the Los Angeles County district attorney, Layla Grissom is charged with two counts of second-degree robbery and one count of kidnapping to commit another crime. She was on felony probation at the time of the alleged robbery, according to the complaint, and is being held in lieu of $1,075,000 bail.
Authorities said a chrome handgun was recovered at the scene.
Frances Prizzia, a defense attorney who said she was standing outside a nearby doughnut shop at the time of the incident, told the Associated Press that Grissom had his hands raised when he was shot.
"He had his hands up the whole time, fingers open," Prizzia said. "There was no way he was reaching for anything.
"He absolutely did not move his hands," she said. "The only time he moved was when he reverberated from the bullets."
Dolson dismissed Prizzia's account.
"We have some independent witnesses who have corroborated the officers' version of events," Dolson said.
— Sarah Ardalani
KTLA Video: Robbery suspect shot and killed by officer
- Neighborhood: Palms
- Age: 27
- Gender: Male
- Cause: Gunshot
- Day of the week: Sunday
- Agency: LASD Homicide
- Race/Ethnicity: Black
- Circumstance: Officer-involved
- Crime scene: Commercial building
52 reader comments about Lejoy Grissom
man , ily brother , why did you have to go sooo sooon ? this is unbelieveableeee >;o
April 26, 2010 at 6:37 p.m.
~RIP LeJoy Erastus Grissom. Didn't Know Things Had Got To This Point... I Will Always Remember You.~
April 26, 2010 at 9:33 p.m.
Should've never been caught stealing. Won't be missed. It's good they killed him before he took out someone innocent.
April 27, 2010 at 7:01 a.m.
This is the same guy who just committed a robbery before he was killed, so it looks like he got just what happens to criminals who think they don't have to obey the law, and cross paths with the police; "Death by the Police", I feel in no way sorry for him, he tried to take from someone else who worked so hard for what they had; Why he couldn't have worked for his own?, and I would guess at this point the lady that was with him will be looking at a long, long prison vacation with all the amenities a nice luxurious 8x8 cell, and food fit for a prison queen, prepared by some of the best prison cooks after they've added water, and how about big Cheryl who loves her some un-bathe sweaty women; Wow! all of that compliments of our justice system....
April 27, 2010 at 10 a.m.
What happened to innocent till proven gilty. only cowereds sit behind their computer screen and belittle the charactor of the deceased. I bet none of you even knew him yet you all have somthing disrespectful to say. im his big brother and I knew him well. So write the same story about yourself when you find yourself standing in front of that dude in the black robe. pleading innocent. GOD dont like ugly and He aint to fond of pritty. Let my brother rest and mind yo own. To the obvious relatives of Willy Lynch.
April 28, 2010 at 4:14 p.m.
R.I.P. Lejoy , such a sad end. And you will not be forgotten
April 28, 2010 at 4:55 p.m.
Big Brother, is it true or false that the deceased was shot down dead while he was robbing people?
As for "innocent till proven guilty", that's for the courtroom. We can do all the judging and speculating we want in this blog.
LA Times, how about a follow up to get a police account of what happened?
April 28, 2010 at 5:36 p.m.
damn i just heard the news from my sister khandi,that his baby daddy lejoy grissom got killed...i am very sad now that was my nicca right there ......you in a better place and god bless you bro and prayer to the whole family
April 28, 2010 at 5:47 p.m.
Wow...its very DISGUSTING how alotta people sitting her talking bad about a young man who was gunned down, no matter what he was RUMORED to have been doing at the time leading up to his death, he was still someones Son, Brother, Father and Friend...its a coward thing to sit here and be an INTERNET Vigilante, how about U grow up and get a life outside of Cyber-ville. And no offense, but who is SICK enough to say that someone deserves death for stealing, I wish I could be there to see God when he strikes u down for ur evil and cruel words.... No one give a damn bout your comments. Im more than willing to bet U or urs has a extensive record or has stolen at some point....hopefully they get ur kind of justice, like U sat here and said Le'Joy deserved. To LA (big brother) and the rest of the fam, may God be with you in ur time of grief, and please know that he was very much Loved and respected, and he will be missed truly. Forget the IGNORANCE of these simple minded morons and continue down the path of mourning & healing with Jesus. RIP LE'JOY!
April 29, 2010 at 12:50 a.m.
hello there again it a shame, how people judge without knowing the whole facts to the story, yall believe everything the media tell you because half of the time it's false. my prayers and respect goes out to the whole grissom family keep it strong and god will be with you period.......
REST IN PEACE LEJOY GRISSOM you will be truly miss coming from your brother-in law marcus a.k.a. maccapone
April 29, 2010 at 9:49 a.m.
When the government steal from the masses nobody says nothing,so why all the harsh words for the deceased. This brother was and still is a child of the Most High.Peace
April 29, 2010 at 12:39 p.m.
gemjyor, perhaps its because the govt is legally authorized by society to take what they want.
Nobody gave legal authority to the deceased for him to steal (if in fact, thats what he did).
April 29, 2010 at 1:42 p.m.
If you go to myspace.com and type in Lejoy Grissom, you'll see two of his pages. Check out the photos and the comments and you'll be able to draw your own conclusions about this guy.
April 29, 2010 at 8:46 p.m.
Jesus this and Jesus that. Homies watching over other homies from HEAVEN. GOD FORGIVES ALL.
Do People really believe that crap?
Why are som many criminals and criminal supporters religious? Doesn't religion teach the opposite of what they do? Ask yourselves people, was the deceased more like god or the devil?
YOU PEOPLE ARE BETTER OFF NOT BELIEVING IN GOD AT ALL. THEN YOU WON'T HAVE TO ANSWER FOR ALL THE TERRIBLE THINGS YOU DO
April 29, 2010 at 9:23 p.m.
Its allways a chance licks can go wrong, im not much of a business robber. My main source of revenue was more so a stick up kid! Or il run in ur house if i kno its a safe and your gettin it!
May 1, 2010 at 10:39 a.m.
This story is sad. Another young person dying at the hands of someone else. there are so many different accounts of this story, but who are we to judge. Witnesses have said that he had his hands up. The media is reporting that he had just robbed a business and they suspect that he had robbed other businesses. At this point wheter it is true or not is irrelevant. What is this world coming to? Things are getting worse, robberies are increasing because of the people who we have selected to be in office or because some of us didn't vote and we got stuck with some losers who don't care about what is going on in our neighborhoods. They are live extravagant lives, while we have to pay for it by having less jobs/income and an increase in everything
May 2, 2010 at 9:24 p.m.
To Thomas Ford
You must be a real nucklehead to write something stupid like that.No wonder you can't spell. I pray to God for someone like you to run up in my house so I can blow a hole in your dome, people like you should be in a casket for bragging about your stick ups,Lejoy
didn't deserve to die but you do.
May 3, 2010 at 9:51 a.m.
Syscom3, Just sayin and to all the other people who want to judge someone who just got killed, grow up. It's pretty immature to go on a blog and condemn someone who was killed. Let the family and friends have their peace without harassing them.
Being vindicative and spiteful will get you no where.
May 3, 2010 at 9:55 a.m.
joe orange, perhaps the victims of the deceased are owed an apology from his family?
May 3, 2010 at 1:35 p.m.
Syscom3, Open up your eyes. My post read:
You might have never said "they deserved to die", but you address the situation in such and insensitive and callous fashion that your IMPLYING as much. What you say is inconceivable to a lot of us readers. You dehumanize these people who are deceased. You have no respect. Actions speak louder than words. What have you done to make a difference? Nothing. Your a blogging coward.
May 3, 2010 at 4:17 p.m.
i just want to thank all those that have sent their condolences and respect for my husband. And thank u very much to those that have said something against the hateful words being said about him.
May 3, 2010 at 7:22 p.m.
Why would his family owe an apoligy to the business he was ACCUSED of robbing.....He was a grown man who is no longer around to apoligize for anything, IF he did anything....His family owe U nothing! they are grieving, they have lost their loved one and He is being mourned and missed. And to his beautiful wife and baby, may god bless you and all his family, with peace of mind, strength and Unity. as well as a financial blessing.... And no matter what is said about Lejoy, He was a and ALWAYS will be a child of God and God called him home to serve a greater purpose. And Syscom3....I hope U get hit by a bus, real talk...IM JUS SAYIN.....
May 4, 2010 at 8:38 p.m.
this man was executed by the overly aggressive and habitually harrassing CULVER CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT. Eye witness account says that he was unarmed with both hands in the air and complying with the orders of the police officer. then was shot three times by the cop and left to bleed to death for several minutes before EMT were called. the location of this shooting is about 1/2 mile to Brotman Hospital and if the man would have received immediate treatment his death may have been prevented. This is another example of CCPD grossly abusing their authority and the officer should be arrested and tried for murder.
May 4, 2010 at 10:24 p.m.
Jay, were you an eyewitness to this? Please tell us more about it, like where you were when it happened, the sequence of events, etc.
May 5, 2010 at 9:15 a.m.
Not only is one of the Eye Witnesses a DEFENSE ATTORNEY but she's not the only witness saying he had his hands up. He was MURDERED...thats why this report is listed under HOMICIDE REPORT....Syscom3 ur demented and slow....not too mention ur a coward for remaining anonymous.... Ur pathetic family need to get lives and respect a family and community that is mourning.
May 5, 2010 at 7:31 p.m.
Read the FAQ's on why his death is listed as a homicide. It's standard practice for the coroner to do so.
As for eyewitnesses; sounds like you were not one and are only repeating what you heard. The fact this incident has not garnered any press coverage indicates that the events you described did not happen.
As for "community that is mourning", I doubt it.
May 5, 2010 at 10:57 p.m.
HEY SYSCUM...WHEN ARE YOU GONNA BECOME A POLICEMAN????....Since you need to know it all.
May 6, 2010 at 1:53 p.m.
WTF, These are people known to our family, we are very disturbed at the current status quo in regards to the respect for human life. If this is an unjustified LAPD shooting the City should be ashamed and immediately make amends to the loved ones...
May 8, 2010 at 1:44 p.m.
Garrett Duran, perhaps you can shed more light on the character of the deceased. What was he like in real life? What was his criminal history?
May 8, 2010 at 9:37 p.m.
What was the character of the deceased? He robbed electronic stores with a gun. Criminal history, a career criminal.
May 9, 2010 at 4:58 a.m.
I went to school with Lejoy, I haven't seen him for years, so I can't speak to his character. What I do know is he was a young man, and this is tragic. Rest in Peace Lejoy.
May 10, 2010 at 6:10 p.m.
RIP Lejoy Grissom and Lil Layla I will def. miss both of you. Khandi I am so sorry for and your 3 kids. Lejoy & Layla were my cousins and I can't believe this just happened so fast. To my Aunty B I love you very much and I am here for you. Khandi if you read this please email me at sassynsweet1982@yahoo.com so we can talk.
May 11, 2010 at 4:44 p.m.
I'm Lejoy real aunt his father is my brother,I feel that my nephew death was unjust and he should be in jail if he did what they said but not dead. Why is the information from the lawyer being dismiss. She know what she saw and they know she know what she seen. My nephew had 4 childern he made mistakes but they didn't have to kill him.
Lejoy Aunty Love You and I will not rest until some one pays for your life.
May 11, 2010 at 9:58 p.m.
R.I.P. Lejoy. Ill say a prayer for u, ur family, and especially ur kids...God Bless
May 12, 2010 at 3:50 p.m.
Some People have serious MENTAL ISSUES....NO MATTER what Lejoy was being accused of doing, he did not deserve to lose his life...his kids do not deserve to live the rest of their lives without a LOVING father, his wife did not deserve to be left a Widow so young...and his mother should NEVER have had to bury her child....thats every parents WORST nightmare....where is the RESPECT for these loved ones...not too mention his COUNTLESS friends, cousins, aunts, uncles..... I feel sorry for your mothers....to talk about a Human Being like he was nothing is the most disgusting thing ever.... Ur mothers should be ashamed
May 14, 2010 at 1:17 p.m.
CiTy bka Lina, do you think the deceased showed love and respect to the people he robbed at gunpoint?
Maybe if his beloved family and friends really cared about him, he wouldn't have been terrorizing people.
May 14, 2010 at 3:18 p.m.
man shut up...fareal....who really cares bout that...i mean keep it real.....BOO HOO....what u talking bout isnt even on the same level as a man losing his life....ur pathetic man....go fry in hell already.....God aint on ur side.... it dont say in the bible that if u steal u lose ur life..... oh but I do think one of the commandments is thou shall not judge.... Hmmmm....ur a real rocket scientist huh.... smh. ur a mess & God dont bless mess.
May 16, 2010 at 8:53 p.m.
CiTy bka Lina, I can tell you god isnt on the side of anyone who violates the basic covenants of society.
Get real about Mr. Grisson. He was an armed robber who terrorized people. He had a horrible reputation and his death was the result of the choices he made.
May 17, 2010 at 3:15 p.m.
God loves and forgives all including this young man
May 31, 2010 at 4:28 a.m.
RIP LeJoy u will be missed but never forgotten. its funny to me how all these ppl have some thing to say about him regaurdless this man was apart of a family and if one of them lost a family member it would be a different story and for ur info he did have his hands up the whole time and they didnt find the gun until he was shot dead on the ground inside the car wit no bullets or clip so even if he did rob anything he never had intentions on hurting anyone sometimes u gotta do what u gotta do and we all have been there before so pls stop wit the negative comments why does it always have to be about some b.s for crist sake we are talkin about a death get real nobody should feel like anyone deserves to die jesus didnt he did die for us now
June 6, 2010 at 2:11 a.m.
Wow! His sister is being held on $1,000,000 bond! Lejoy and his sister sure were interesting people. I bet their family is proud of their conduct that day.
— lashonne ..... how do you know he didn't have ammunition in his pistol? Were you there? I want to know your source. Why was that not printed in the story? Are you inventing facts or rehashing third and fourth hand information?
And how come only one person says he had his "hands up" but others (and that's in the plural) say no he didnt?
As for someone deserving to die? I would say no. But some people through their own exceptionally poor choices in their conduct, raises the probability that they will inevitably find a violent death.
June 6, 2010 at 8:26 a.m.
good riddance
June 23, 2010 at 4:43 a.m.
all yall needa SAG LOW up off maa brother , onn qod yall do
how yall just tlken about him ? knowinq he cant do aanything about it , uu knw why ? cause hes inna betterPlace .
Just say NO more aboutt itt on this interneet , exspecially if you DONT knw him . str8 UP .
- leel` sissterr (:
Sept. 9, 2010 at 1:21 p.m.
— nara simmons, how do you know hes in a better place when he was career violent criminal.
And learn some proper grammar and spelling so we dont waste time trying to decipher your post.
Sept. 9, 2010 at 2:19 p.m.
Nara-
What?
Sept. 9, 2010 at 2:24 p.m.
Big shock. More bible quoting, double digit IQ enablers trying to hide a career loser behind religion. But, like lashonne said, you gotta do what you gotta do. Frankly, you're too uneducated to do anything else.
Sept. 9, 2010 at 5:44 p.m.
John-
It truly is amazing, isn't it? If someone had no clue about these neighborhoods and only had the gang-enablers religious, "only God can judge" posts, one would think these places were the most wholesome and pious places on Earth. Instead they're killing fields that are no doubt full of good people, unfortunately they are overshadowed by the excuse-makers and enablers you find on here, excusing murderous and criminal behavior because "only God can judge".
Sept. 9, 2010 at 6:10 p.m.
Nara- What are you saying?
Sept. 11, 2010 at 12:04 a.m.
I am so glad that God judges a man by the heart and motivation, man judges a person
by their actions know body knows what man is dealing with times are hard for alot even if he is guilt be fore u judge walk a mile in another's shoes May God have mercy on his soul I pray
Oct. 22, 2010 at 2:44 p.m.
@ everydayreader who said "God loves and forgives all including this young man"
That's only if you repent, ask for forgiveness and make restitution. And although God does forgive, he still holds us ACCOUNTABLE for our actions. You don't get a free stay beyond the Pearly Gates just by virtue of taking a dirt nap.
Oct. 22, 2010 at 3:35 p.m.
R.I.P Mr. Grissom and my condolences to the family. I have read each and every post thus far. I have to say it's unfortunate that the events has turned out this way, but you have to keep it real. Quoting Bible scriptures to put your mind at ease as to the fate of this man is not realistic. We as black people need to stop hiding behind the Only God can judge me and God don't like ugly sayings' it's not scripture. What is Biblical is Thou shall not kill, steal, covet, bear false witness, etc. We can't pick and dchoose which scripture we will apply to our everyday life. Falling prey to the devil's deceitful lies will get you dead and destroyed for eternity. We all will give an account, from the rich, middle class, barely making it, to the poor. The mean comments are not necessary, the man is dead and God will judge his acts, his beliefs, his obedience, etc. But at the same time we cannot dismiss his behavior if it is true. I wonder what his sister thinks as she sits alone and is too herself. The things we do and don't do can cost us dearly. Everyday life is a struggle, we see and hear about it everyday. What we need to see is that despite what we are faced there is tomorrow if God grants us that. So what we do today matters, whether it's feeding the poor in spite of our circumstance. Just genuine kindness, holding our tongue in anger, and forgiveness can make a difference. You have people fighting many battles, cancer other diseases, loss of loved one, no employment, domestic violence, rape, violent acts, loss of limbs, the list goes on and on. You can't go out and steal, use, kill, lie, and abuse your way to comfort, happiness and eternity. Do right, live right, and Love God. To love God is to live by His word. Not to live an unGodly life and then expect a seat with Him in His kingdom. God sees all. When we do wrong we don't have sometimes the presence of mind to worry about what God thinks, we are concerned with man's perception of us. God sees what we do every single day and we act as though he can't. Get serious about your salvation especially if you are advocating somebody else's. We see and know people who are hurting, do we reach out? Stop taking your life for granted, tomorrow is not promised to any of us. At least eternity is if we do what He asks. Sorry for the long ready. God Bless.
Oct. 22, 2010 at 7:38 p.m.
Man Lovejoy..... Never imagined that I would be reading something like this on you, but whats done is done. May you rest in peace and you will never be fogotten......
June 7, 2011 at 9:14 p.m.
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