CA Police Wheelchair Shooting Double Amputee Lawsuit 2025

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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The story of Anthony Lowe Jr. is heartbreaking and raises serious questions. He was a 36-year-old Black man facing immense challenges. Recently, he had lost both his legs. He used a wheelchair to get around. Yet, his life ended tragically during an encounter with Huntington Park police in California.

Details emerging from the incident paint a disturbing picture. Reports and video footage suggest a violent confrontation. It culminated in Lowe being shot multiple times by officers. For our community, this is another painful reminder of lethal interactions between law enforcement and Black individuals, particularly those living with disabilities or mental health challenges. Indeed, understanding what happened requires looking closely at the facts.

A Fatal Encounter: Police Shooting Double Amputee

The critical moments of the encounter were captured on video. Cellphone and surveillance footage show officers interacting with Anthony Lowe. He was in his wheelchair. The footage reveals officers pulling Lowe’s wheelchair out from under him (Video released in police shooting of double amputee Anthony Lowe; New Video Released in Police Shooting of Double Amputee). This action caused him to collapse onto the pavement. After falling, Lowe appeared to swing a large butcher knife toward the officers.

The situation escalated rapidly from there. Lowe attempted to move away from the officers after being thrown to the ground. According to his family’s lawsuit, filed in 2025, officers then shot him 11 times (‘This Was Wrong’: California Cops Threw Black Double Amputee Out of Wheelchair…). The lawsuit alleges this constitutes excessive force. Furthermore, surveillance footage appears to show Lowe moving away, not advancing, when shots were fired (Video released in police shooting of double amputee Anthony Lowe; New Video Released in Police Shooting of Double Amputee). This visual evidence fuels intense debate about the necessity of lethal force in this situation.

Preceding Moments: Anthony Lowe Death Circumstances

The police interaction with Anthony Lowe did not happen in a vacuum. Officers were initially responding to a report involving Lowe. He was suspected of stabbing a pedestrian just minutes before the fatal confrontation (NBC Connecticut; NBC Los Angeles). This prior incident likely shaped the officers’ approach and perception of threat.

Before resorting to firearms, officers attempted other methods to subdue Lowe. They deployed tasers twice. However, these attempts were deemed ineffective (NBC Connecticut; NBC Los Angeles (Video)). The available information doesn’t specify why the tasers failed. Consequently, officers transitioned to using lethal force. This sequence raises questions about de-escalation tactics and the availability of other non-lethal options considered by the officers.

Disability, Crisis, & Police Use of Force Against Disabled

Anthony Lowe’s physical condition is central to this tragedy. He had lost both legs just four months prior and did not have prosthetics (NBC Connecticut; NBC Los Angeles (Video)). This severe disability inherently limited his mobility and speed. It raises profound questions about the level of threat he posed. Could a man without legs, even one holding a knife, truly present an imminent danger requiring 11 gunshots? Many argue his physical disadvantages significantly reduced any immediate threat.

Adding another layer, Lowe’s family and experts suggest he was experiencing a mental health crisis. This crisis was linked to the trauma of his recent amputations and associated depression (NBC Los Angeles (Video); NBC Los Angeles). Interactions between police and individuals in mental distress, especially those with disabilities, are fraught with risk. Behaviors arising from crisis or disability, like lack of eye contact or unusual movements, can be misinterpreted as threats (PMC; California Office of the Attorney General). This tragically increases the likelihood of force being used.

The concept of proportionality is key here. Legal standards dictate that the force used by officers must match the severity of the threat (The ALI Adviser; UNODC). Deadly force is reserved only for situations involving an immediate threat of serious harm or death. Considering Lowe’s disability and potential mental state, the officers’ actions—throwing him from his chair and firing 11 times—demand scrutiny under this principle. Therefore, the question remains whether the force used was proportional to the actual danger Lowe presented.

Seeking Justice: Wheelchair User Killed by Police Spurs Action

The killing of Anthony Lowe sent shockwaves through the community and beyond. Video evidence played a crucial role in bringing public attention to the case. Footage showing Lowe moving away from officers before they fired raised serious doubts about their justification for using deadly force (Video released in police shooting of double amputee Anthony Lowe; New Video Released in Police Shooting of Double Amputee). This footage became central to the narrative questioning the officers’ actions.

In response, Lowe’s family filed a civil lawsuit in 2025. The lawsuit alleges that the officers used unlawful and excessive force, leading to his wrongful death (‘This Was Wrong’: California Cops Threw Black Double Amputee Out of Wheelchair…). Importantly, a judge has allowed the case to proceed. This decision permits further investigation into the officers’ conduct. Consequently, the legal process will now examine the evidence, including the videos and officer testimonies, to determine if constitutional rights were violated and if excessive force was indeed used against a disabled man in crisis.

This case highlights ongoing concerns about police interactions with Black individuals and those with disabilities. It underscores the need for better training in de-escalation, crisis intervention, and recognizing behaviors associated with disabilities. As the lawsuit progresses, many hope it brings not only accountability but also meaningful changes in policing practices. Ultimately, the outcome will be watched closely by communities demanding justice and reform.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.