Prosecutor's Husband Waves a Gun at Protesters

Black Lives Matter activists had gathered outside district attorney's LA home
By Bob Cronin,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 2, 2020 4:48 PM CST
Prosecutor Apologizes After Husband Threatens Protesters
In this Jan.6, 2020 file photo Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey talks during a news conference at the Hall of Justice in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes,File)

The Los Angeles County district attorney has apologized—and said her husband is sorry, too—after protesters outside her home were threatened with a gun. Jackie Lacey's husband, David, stood in the doorway early Monday, the Los Angeles Times reports, and told the protesters: "I will shoot you. Get off of my porch." Someone in the group had rung the doorbell, and three people said they heard the gun being cocked. The Black Lives Matter activists were demonstrating against the district attorney's refusal to meet with them about her decision not to prosecute Ed Buck, a wealthy Democratic donor; a man died of an overdose in Buck's home in 2017, per the Times. The group has held weekly protests outside Lacey's office, chanting the names of people killed by county officers. Lacey had agreed to meet with the activists but didn't follow through. "So we decided to have the meeting in front of her house," an organizer said.

Later Monday, Lacey objected to the presence of the dozen or so protesters, who chanted and held signs. "I do not believe it is fair or right for protesters to show up at the homes of people who dedicate their lives to public service," she said, adding that her husband was "profoundly sorry." The couple was alone in the house, she said, "and we really didn't know what was about to happen." David Lacey is a former investigative auditor for the district attorney’s office. The district attorney is up for reelection and faces two challengers in the primary Tuesday; one of the activists' signs said, "#ByeJackie." She's in her second term. "Their main issue is she won’t prosecute police officers," said a political consultant, per the Los Angeles Daily News. A police official said an investigation has begun. (Much more on the Ed Buck case here.)

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