What Happened to Keith Porter?

I am writing this letter with a heavy heart and an unwavering commitment to justice. On New Year’s Eve, our community lost a beloved father, son, and friend—Keith Porter Jr., a 43-year-old Black man whose life was tragically cut short at his Northridge apartment complex. Keith was not just a name in the news; he was a loving father, a “girl dad,” and a man who brought joy and kindness to everyone who knew him. His mother, Franceola Armstrong, described him best:

“He didn’t deserve this. He didn’t even get to pop the champagne. He didn’t get to say goodbye. His life was snatched from us.”

On December 31, at approximately 10:30 p.m., Keith was celebrating the New Year when an off-duty ICE agent confronted him. According to reports, Keith was firing celebratory shots into the air—a common tradition in many communities—when the agent, who lived in the same complex, heard gunfire and approached him. What happened next remains unclear. Authorities have not provided a full account of why lethal force was used, and no criminal charges have been filed against the agent who killed Keith.

The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement claiming the agent “bravely responded to an active shooter situation” and “exchanged gunfire” with Keith. But Keith’s family and community leaders strongly dispute this narrative. They believe Keith posed no imminent threat that justified deadly force. Joseph Williams of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles expressed the outrage we all feel:

“The fact that Keith Porter’s murderer was not arrested and was allowed to give up his service weapon that night is unacceptable.”

This lack of accountability is not only unjust—it is dangerous. It sends a chilling message that certain individuals can take a life without consequence. Keith’s death is not an isolated incident. Just days later, Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old woman in Minneapolis, was fatally shot by another ICE agent. These tragedies reveal a disturbing pattern that demands immediate action.

Our community is grieving, but we are also determined. Keith’s mother, Franceola Armstrong, spoke before the Los Angeles City Council on January 9, pleading for justice:

“He was a great Black man. He was a girl dad. He didn’t deserve this.”

We echo her words and call upon every official, every leader, and every person of conscience to act. We demand an independent investigation into Keith Porter Jr.’s killing. We demand that the ICE officer responsible be held accountable and charged. Justice cannot be selective. It cannot depend on the badge someone wears.

Keith’s life mattered. He was a father who will never walk his daughter down the aisle. He was a son who will never again embrace his mother. He was a friend whose laughter will never fill a room. His absence leaves a void that no words can fill, but accountability can bring a measure of healing and restore faith in the system meant to protect us all.

Community leaders have spoken, and their voices must be heard. Joseph Williams reminded us that accountability is non-negotiable. Civil rights advocates across the nation are calling for change. Candlelight vigils, like the one scheduled for January 17 at Carson Park, are not just gatherings—they are cries for justice.

We urge you to stand on the right side of history. Conduct a thorough, transparent investigation. File charges where they are due. Show the world that justice is not a privilege but a promise.

Keith Porter Jr.’s name must not become another statistic. His story must ignite reform, accountability, and hope. We will not rest until justice is served.

Thank you for your time and attention to this urgent matter. We trust that you will act with integrity and courage.

A thorough, independent investigation into Keith Porter Jr.’s killing.

The ICE agent be held accountable, charged with appropriate criminal offenses.

The review and restructuring of off-duty law enforcement protocols to prevent future tragedies. 📨 Official Recipients & Mailing Addresses

Mayor Karen Bass

Office of the Mayor

200 North Spring Street

Los Angeles, CA 90012 [lacity.gov], [locator.lacounty.gov]

Chief of Police, LAPD

Office of the Chief of Police

100 West First Street

Los Angeles, CA 90012 [locator.lacounty.gov]

The Honorable Kristi Noem

Secretary of Homeland Security

Department of Homeland Security

650 Massachusetts Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20001 [dhs.gov], [dhs.gov]