Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Family Of Man Killed By Anaheim Police Files Lawsuit Claiming Unreasonable Force
Brandon Lopez (L) with his son, Sonny.
(
Courtesy Lopez family
)
The family of a man who was shot and killed by Anaheim police in September is suing the city for allegedly using unreasonable force and poor tactics.
Brandon Lopez’ cousin, Santa Ana City Councilmember Johnathan Hernandez, told Spectrum News the 33-year-old was experiencing a mental health crisis when he was shot by four Anaheim officers after a car chase and a long standoff.
Body camera video released by the Anaheim Police Department shows that officers shot Lopez when he exited his car holding a black bag and they mistakenly thought he had a gun. Lopez was unarmed.
The city argues the officers acted “responsibly” based on their fear that Lopez had a gun.
Support for LAist comes from
The body cam footage was part of an edited video produced by the Anaheim Police Department that also includes stills and radio communication between police leading up to the shooting.
Anaheim Police Sgt. Jacob Gallacher said in the video that Lopez was suspected of stealing a car, and after a records search, officers found three active warrants for his arrest, including for armed robbery and domestic violence. The ensuing vehicle chase led to a more than three-hour standoff at a construction site in Santa Ana.
The Video Shows 'A Militarized Response'
The video also includes audio of a Santa Ana officer reporting that a member of the Lopez family said Lopez desired “suicide by cop.”
During the standoff, Santa Ana police arrived on the scene in an armored vehicle, with at least one officer equipped with an automatic rifle. Anaheim SWAT also responded, and can be seen eventually throwing a flash-bang grenade into Lopez’s car.
After the flash-bang grenade goes off, Lopez exits the car holding the black bag, and officers can be heard saying “gun, gun, gun” before shooting him several times.
“If you looked at the video, you see it’s a militarized response,” said Lopez family lawyer Vicki Sarmiento. “And I don’t think that lends itself to somebody saying ‘Okay, I’m just going to come out because I’m going to be treated peacefully.’”
Support for LAist comes from
Sarmiento said Councilmember Hernandez was on scene for part of the standoff and had offered to talk with Lopez.
“This appears to be another case of law enforcement using unnecessary deadly force against an unarmed person,” Dale Galipo, a second attorney representing the Lopez family, said in a statement. “Law enforcement officers need better training on deescalating situations and using less than lethal options under circumstances as those present in this incident.”
The city of Anaheim “disagrees with how the incident is being portrayed,” spokesman Mike Lyster said in a pre-recorded audio statement. He said the officers acted “responsibly with a reasonable fear of what was made to appear as a gun.”
Sarmiento said the Lopez family was looking forward to celebrating his 34th birthday at Disneyland in December. Lopez is survived by four children.
The California Department of Justice is investigating the Lopez case with the help of its new shooting investigation teams that independently probe fatal law enforcement shootings of unarmed people, as required by a new state law, AB 1506.
The lawsuit comes just as multiple unarmed mental health crisis response initiatives launch in Orange County, including Huntington Beach and Irvine.
If You Need Immediate Help
-
If you or someone you know is in crisis and need immediate help, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 or go here for online chat.
-
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.
Support for LAist comes from
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist