A former Los Angeles Police Department officer, who left the United States after being charged with fatally shooting a homeless man in Venice in 2015, flew back into the country and was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport Thursday night, law enforcement sources exclusively told NBC Los Angeles Friday.
Clifford Proctor, who fatally shot Brendon Glenn, 29, in May 2015 following a dispute near the Venice Beach boardwalk, was booked for murder and being held on a $2 million bond as of Friday.
Brendon Glenn, 29, was fatally shot by then-Officer Clifford Proctor after an altercation in Venice in 2015.
Proctor had been initially investigated by then-LA County District Attorney Jackie Lacey in 2018. But the DA’s office declined to pursue charges against Proctor, citing “insufficient evidence.”
Then-LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, however, had recommended that Proctor be charged with crime as the police department’s own investigation determined Proctor shot Glenn twice in the stomach then in the back.
Then in 2024, former District Attorney George Gascon, who ousted Lacey and ran for the DA’s office on the platform of tougher regulations for law enforcement amid the “defund the police” movement across the country, decided to charge Proctor.
Shortly after being charged by Gascon’s office, Proctor fled the country and is believed to have lived in Trinidad for the past year or so.
On Thursday night, the now-60-year-old attempted to return to Los Angeles through LAX, but he was flagged and arrested.
In response to the NBCLA’s exclusive report, the current-District Attorney Nathan Hochman’s office said it is aware of Proctor’s arrest but said it is unable to comment.
The LAPD also said it’s aware of Proctor’s arrest.
“We will continue to support the justice system as this case proceeds and will work collaboratively with our law enforcement partners throughout the process,” the police department said in a statement.