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The family of David Ordaz, Jr. — killed by deputies in front of them — files federal lawsuit
David Ordaz, Jr.'s sister, Hilda Pedroza (R), spoke at a press conference on Thursday, July 29, 2021. She points to a picture of Ordaz, who was killed by Los Angeles Sheriff's Deputies on March 14.
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Robert Garrova
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LAist
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Update:
After his department released an edited version of the body cam footage Friday evening, L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said in a statement: "I want to clearly state I have grave concerns regarding this deputy involved shooting." We will have more on this story shortly.
The family of a man who was fatally shot by Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department deputies during a mental health crisis has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the county alleging wrongful death.
On March 14, the family of David Ordaz, Jr., 34, family called the sheriff’s department for help. They were afraid he might take his own life.
But instead, Ordaz was killed by sheriff’s deputies on the sidewalk in front of his family’s East L.A. home. Several family members witnessed the shooting, including his older sister, Gabriela Hernandez.
“We never thought that making that call for help would end up in my brother’s death at the hands of law enforcement,” Hernandez said Thursday at a press conference in downtown L.A. announcing the lawsuit.
The department said deputies opened fire when Ordaz charged at them with a knife.
Two posters honoring David Ordaz Jr. were displayed outside the federal courthouse Thursday.
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Robert Garrova / LAist
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(Warning: link below goes to a video depicting acts of violence, including the fatal shooting of Ordaz.)
The family’s lawyers released a video recorded by a neighbor that shows deputies firing nonlethal rounds at Ordaz, causing him to stumble and turn away. The deputies then fire live rounds at him.
Ordaz’s daughter, Emily Ordaz, said nothing excuses what happened to her dad and she’s calling for solutions.
“We want and need LA County and its Sheriff's Department to fix how they deal with mental health crises,” she said.
The lawsuit names four deputies — Remin Pineda, Edwin Navarrete, Jaime Romero, and Nathaniel Trujillo — who were on scene and accuses them of being “negligent,” “careless” and “using unjustifiable lethal force.”
“Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of Mr. Ordaz,” the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department said in an emailed statement. The statement added that, once complete, the department’s investigation will be sent to the District Attorney’s Office, which will “determine the legality of the shooting.” The department said deputy body-worn camera footage will be released “in the near future.”
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The suit also seeks damages for emotional distress suffered by several family members who witnessed the shooting.
“In seeing their son, their brother, their uncle shot and killed before their very eyes, they suffered severe emotional distress and that’s another cause for action,” Ordaz family attorney Federico Sayre said.
Assistance For Mental Health Crises Or Support
If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or visit the 988 website for online chat.
For more help:
- Find 5 Action Steps for helping someone who may be suicidal, from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
- Six questions to ask to help assess the severity of someone's suicide risk, from the Columbia Lighthouse Project.
- To prevent a future crisis, here's how to help someone make a safety plan.
- Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health’s 24/7 Help Line (Spanish available): 800-854-7771.
- East Los Angeles Women’s Center 24/7 crisis hotline (Spanish available): 800-585-6231.
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for 24/7 crisis counseling.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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