A sidewalk memorial featuring a portrait of Ezell Ford is seen near where he was shot and killed by police on a street near his home in South Los Angeles on Dec. 30, 2014. (Raquel Maria Dillon/AP Photo)

(Los Angeles Times) – When Ezell Ford’s mother learned Tuesday afternoon that L.A. police commissioners had faulted one of the officers who fatally shot her son, her first reaction, she said, was: “Hallelujah!”

Speaking to reporters at South L.A.’s First AME Church hours later, Tritobia Ford said although she was “a little disappointed” that the Police Commission had cleared the other officer who shot her 25-year-old son, she was ultimately pleased with the board’s decision.

The ruling, she said, “strongly, on the record, stated that what happened to Ezell was wrong.”

Ford had harsher words for LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, saying she doubted the chief would impose anything more than a “slap on the wrist” for the officers because the chief had found their actions justified. She also called on Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey to file criminal charges and let a jury decide the officers’ fate.

“We have not heard from you,” Ford said, addressing Lacey. “We need to hear from you. The investigation is over…. You need to step up.”

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