With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
Family Of Cudahy Man With Autism Who Was Shot By Deputy Demands Sheriff Release Video
Isaias Cervantes
(
Courtesy of the Cervantes family
)
The family of Isaias Cervantes is demanding the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department immediately release the deputy-worn camera footage of the shooting that severely injured the 25-year-old who lives with disabilities.
Cervantes, who has autism and is deaf, was shot by a Sheriff’s deputy inside the family’s Cudahy home on March 31.
Speaking on social media Wednesday, Sheriff Alex Villanueva said his department has completed a “critical incident review.” He said officials had already met with Cervantes’ mother, “and we promised that we’re going to have them have a chance to see the body-worn camera footage first — and once they see it — we’re going to upload it and it will be available on the [Sheriff’s Department] website for everyone to view.”
On Thursday, Cervantes family attorney Austin Dove said the department had not yet contacted the family about viewing the video.
Support for LAist comes from
The Sheriff’s Department said deputies responded to a “family disturbance call” at Cervantes’ Cudahy home. It said he “attacked one of the deputies” and was “gouging at his eyes” while trying to take his gun -- and that’s when a deputy shot Cervantes.
Dove tells a different story. He said one of Cervantes’ sisters called 911 to get help when her brother experienced a “mild mental health occurrence.”
Dove said when the deputies arrived, Cervantes — who according to his sister Yajaira “has the mentality of a six-year-old” — refused to go outside to talk to them.
He said the deputies then entered the home, and each grabbed one of Cervantes’ arms. As they tried to handcuff him, his hearing aid fell out.
Dove claims Cervantes was eventually shot in the back. And both he and the family maintain that Cervantes was unarmed. Cervantes is still in the ICU, and his family fears he’ll be left paralyzed.
Cudahy’s city council passed a resolution this week calling on the Sheriff’s Department to release the body cam footage and the names of the deputies who were at the scene of the shooting, Vice Mayor Elizabeth Alcantar said in an appearance with the family and disability activists Thursday.
“Today we stand with the family, we stand with advocates behind us in ... demanding that there is a full investigation,” Alcantar said. The council resolution also calls on the California Attorney General and U.S. Department of Justice to investigate.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high. -
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails.
Best of LAist