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New video shows Anaheim police using headlock, Taser on suspect who later died
File: Taser International's X2 two-shot Taser for law enforcement is displayed at the National Shooting Sports Foundation's 34th annual Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in January 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Orange County prosecutors released video Wednesday showing a fatal encounter between Anaheim police and a suspect. The videos had previously been sealed by a judge.
Taken from bodyworn and surveillance cameras, the video shows officers Woojin Jun and Daniel Wolfe trying to arrest Fermin Valenzuela, 32, on July 2, 2016. It was in response to a 911 call saying that the suspect had followed a woman home.
Watch the video here:
"Just stop OK — put your hands behind your back. Put your hands behind your back. Stop. Stop," police are heard saying in the video, before trying to restrain him repeatedly.
They observed Valenzuela to be high on meth. The officers used a Taser on him more than once as he tried to get away.
After an officer used an approved headlock technique, Valenzuela became unresponsive.
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"He's purple right now so I want to make sure he's breathing," an officer is heard saying in the video. "Let's get him on his side. 'Kay, let's start, let's look at CPR."
Officers are seen performing CPR.
Valenzuela was taken to a hospital but never regained consciousness. He was declared clinically brain dead and was taken off of life support, dying on July 10, 2016.
An autopsy said the cause of death was "complications of asphyxia during a struggle with law enforcement, while under the influence of methamphetamine."
The pathologist categorized it as a homicide, but the DA's Office found the officers did not use excessive force and did not act with malice. The investigation is closed.
Read the full report on the incident from the Orange County District Attorney's Office below:
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This story has been updated.
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