Possible Lynching Of California Black Man

The discovery of a 24-year-old Black man hanging from a tree near Palmdale City Hall this week has sparked alarm in the Antelope Valley as investigators try to determine whether his death was caused by suicide or if foul play was involved.

A passerby spotted the man's body at 3:39 a.m. Wednesday in the 38300 block of 9th Street East, according to authorities. Emergency personnel responded and determined that the man — identified as Robert Fuller — was dead, authorities said.

Lt. Kelly Yagerlener of the Los Angeles County medical examiner-coroner's office said the death was initially reported as an apparent suicide, but a decision on the cause of death is deferred pending an investigation. A full autopsy is planned.

Op Ed: He probably committed suicide Jeffery Epstein style.

"Investigators have been in contact with Mr. Fuller’s family and are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Fuller’s death," Palmdale officials wrote in a statement.

Fuller's death has generated intense attention, especially after weeks of protests over the police killing of George Floyd. Kim Kardashian West tweeted about the case, urging people to sign a petition demanding a full investigation.

Community members confronted city officials at a news briefing Friday, questioning why they were quick to label Fuller's death a suicide and asking whether he might have been the victim of homicide.

The residents asked whether there were cameras around the park. The city said there were no outdoor cameras, and video recorders on a nearby traffic signal could not have captured what happened.

Some of the community members detailed examples of racism in the high desert city, including confederate flags, and said officials should not be quick to dismiss it as playing a role in Fuller's death.

"We have a history with nooses. We don’t like ropes around our necks," said one man. "It was a message for the protest we had in Palmdale and Lancaster."

City Manager J.J. Murphy acknowledged, "Maybe we should have said it was 'an alleged suicide.'" Then he added: “Can I also ask that we stop talking about lynchings?”

The audience erupted with cries of “Hell no!”

Capt. Ron Shaffer of the L.A. County Sheriff's Palmdale station said homicide detectives are investigating and urged members of the public to contact the homicide bureau with any information.

"I have doubts about what happened," said Marisela Barajas, who lives in Palmdale. After the press conference, Barajas walked over and joined a crowd gathering at the tree where Fuller died. An American flag flew nearby.

"All alone, in front of the City Hall — it's more like a statement," she said. "Even if it was a suicide, that in itself is kind of a statement."

Fuller's family has launched a GoFundMe page seeking help covering funeral expenses.

"Words can’t describe how my family is feeling. We grew up there in the Antelope Valley, we have so many friends, families that loved Robert," one wrote.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Sheriff's Department at (323) 890-5500.

Em G Am TOO MANY MARTYRS In the state of Mississippi many years ago D Em A boy of 14 years got a taste of southern law Em G Am He saw his friend a hanging and his color was his crime Am D Em And the blood upon his jacket left a brand upon his mind Am D G Em CHORUS: Too many martyrs and too many dead Am D G Em Too many lies too many empty words were said Am D G Em Too many times for too many angry men Am D Em Oh let it never be again His name was Medgar Evers and he walked his road alone Like Emmett Till and thousands more whose names we'll never know They tried to burn his home and they beat him to the ground But deep inside they both knew what it took to bring him down *chorus* The killer waited by his home hidden by the night As Evers stepped out from his car into the rifle sight he slowly squeezed the trigger, the bullet left his side It struck the heart of every man when Evers fell and died. *chorus* And they laid him in his grave while the bugle sounded clear laid him in his grave when the victory was near While we waited for the future for freedom through the land (*) The country gained a killer and the country lost a man *chorus*

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