

Folks are demanding answers in the death of 24-year-old Robert Fuller, a black man who was found hanging from a tree earlier this week in Palmdale, California. More inside…
In the midst of Black Lives Matter protests, a suspicious death is making headlines because folks want answers!
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the death of Robert Fuller, a 24-year-old black man whose body was found hanging from a tree earlier this week in Palmdale, California. He was found at Poncitlán Square, which is in between Palmdale City Hall and a Los Angeles County Fire Department station. His death was initially investigated as an apparent suicide, but his family and the community has been raising questions about what REALLY happened to him.
Words can’t describe how much my family is hurting right now. Today we just got word that Robert body was found hanging...
Posted by Diamond Alexander on Thursday, June 11, 2020
According to the L.A. Times, a passerby spotted Robert’s body hanging from a tree at 3:39 a.m. Wednesday in the 38300 block of 9th Street East. Emergency personnel responded and determined that the man — identified as Robert Fuller — was dead, authorities said.
City Manager J.J. Murphy addressed the tragedy in a statement, describing Robert Fuller's death as a possible suicide related to the COVID-19 crisis.
"Many people are suffering extreme mental anguish and the City wants everyone to know that help is available," he said. "There are local resources such as Mental Health America of Los Angeles, AV Vet Center, and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health."
“Although the investigation is ongoing, it appears Mr. Fuller, tragically, committed suicide,” Capt. Ron Schaffer with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department told a group of community members gathered for a news conference at Palmdale City Hall on Friday afternoon.
Things got heated during the news conference as people shouted back “That’s a lie!” and “Get another coroner!”
The L.A. Times reports:
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!”
The City of Palmdale also released a statement regarding the passing of Robert Fuller in Palmdale on Wednesday, June 10th:
“We are all grieving the loss of this young man and our hearts go out to his family and friends during this difficult time,” said Palmdale Mayor Steve Hofbauer. “We also understand the community’s call for a full investigation into this death, and we are asking the same.”
“We will fully cooperate with the Sheriff’s Department, the Los Angeles County’s Coroner’s Office’s, and any and all investigative agencies looking into the matter,” Hofbauer said. “We are awaiting all available details surrounding this tragedy. In addition, we are working with local community leaders to increase the dialogue on how we can best work together and build a safer and more inclusive community.”
“We encourage anyone with information about this incident call Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323/890-5500,” Hofbauer added.
“The City of Palmdale will do everything we can to assist Mr. Fuller’s family during this difficult time as we all wait to learn more about his tragic death,” said Palmdale City Manager J.J. Murphy.
An official cause of death has yet to be determined and they're already ruling it a suicide. How Sway? The “initial impression” of sheriff’s homicide investigators and Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner’s officials was that the death was a suicide. The Sheriff’s department said a “full autopsy is anticipated in the immediate future.”
Family members and community activists want an independent autopsy done and they’re also demanding to see surveillance footage captured on cameras near the fire station and other public facilities in the area.
“The city said there were no outdoor cameras.” I counted four facing the tree where #RobertFuller was found in #palmdale. @palmdalesheriff, did you ask for the footage from Ochoa Digital? From Whispering Palms Apartments? pic.twitter.com/ncG5hiYZya
— Billy Jensen (@Billyjensen) June 13, 2020
The family is convinced foul play was involved. Robert's friend said he would never take his own life:
TELL EM KING!! SHARE SHARE SHARE #JUSTICEFORROBERTFULLER #BLACKLIVESMATTER pic.twitter.com/NPpO02DPXQ
— lil shawty (@rosieedap) June 12, 2020
People in the community have started protesting, demanding answers in the wake of Robert's death:
URGENT: A protest was held today for the lynching of the young Black man, Robert Fuller in Palmdale, CA. Why haven’t we seen this broadcasted nationally? The MSM is attempting to shut out this story.
Police have been silent. #BlackLivesMatter
— Habiba Choudhury #BLM (@PeopleMvmt) June 13, 2020
A protest fir Robert Fuller in Palmdale, CA.
We hvnt seen this broadcasted nationally?
Police have been silent. #BlackLivesMatter #SaturdayThoughts
#RIPROBERTFULLER pic.twitter.com/IVPvkkUeyQ— Kevin Moral (@KevinMoral6) June 13, 2020
Celebrities are using their platforms to help spread the word about Robert Fuller’s uber suspicious death:
#RobertFuller Protesters demand investigation after young Black man is found hanging from tree in Palmdale https://t.co/cludEk1g79
— Holly Robinson Peete (@hollyrpeete) June 13, 2020
Robert Fuller was found dead June 10, 2020, hanging from a tree outside City Hall Palmdale. Sign this petition to demand for a thorough and proper investigation #JusticeforRobertFuller https://t.co/czUqCrmE8m
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 12, 2020
Palmdale PD: Robert Fuller was found dead June 10, 2020 after he was found hanging from a tree in CA - Sign the Petition! https://t.co/V7YbsIClRE via @Change
— Paul George (@Yg_Trece) June 13, 2020
#RobertFuller’s family has been demanding answers for 2 days, the police tried to not only quietly pass it off as a suicide but also hide and only do a press release today (2 days after) because it was amplified picked up by social media.
keep being loud. #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/7tpcswWOa3
— elijah daniel (@elijahdaniel) June 13, 2020
TW: ***violence and racism.***
This young man is Robert Fuller. He was found hanging from a tree yesterday in CA. Police have dismissed it as suicide. We all call bullshit. Please retweet. #RobertFuller #BlackLivesMater https://t.co/siU4MMfSUa
— Jameela Jamil (@jameelajamil) June 13, 2020
A GoFundMe account was started for Robert Fuller's family following his death. You can donate HERE.
Let's hope concrete evidence is found that will tell the true story about what really happened to Robert Fuller. We send our prayers and condelences to his family and friends during this trying time.
Photo: Diamond Alexander's Facebook
Comments
Log in to post a new comment
Log in to post a new comment
log in register