Anthony Dwain Lee - Aftermath

Aftermath

Some of Lee's friends and family continue to dispute the LAPD's version of events. Lee's sister, Tina Lee-Vogt, doubted the ruling due to Lee's autopsy report which determined he was shot in the back multiple times. She later filed a $100 million wrongful death lawsuit against the department. In February 2003, the LAPD settled with Lee-Vogt for $225,000.

Friends of Lee maintain that the actor's death was not a mistake and that he was a victim of racial profiling. Other friends maintained that Lee would not have pointed a weapon, real or fake, at a police officer because he feared being shot by a cop because he was black. However, it is unknown if Officer Hopper was aware that Lee was black at the time of the shooting. Hopper himself is also black.

Lee's shooting drew more criticism to the LAPD at a time when the department's reputation was already suffering due to allegations of police brutality, corruption and civil rights violations.

The circumstances surrounding Lee's death drew nation wide media attention. Lee's story was later featured on 48 Hours.