EspañolDaniel Alfons Meltvedt Died in Police Shooting After Calling the Police to Ask for Help During Mental Health Crisis
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA (July 23, 2026) – A 20-year-old man identified as Daniel Meltvedt has tragically died in an Irvine police shooting.
Orange County officials are saying that the incident took place on the afternoon of July 21. Authorities received a call from Daniel Meltvedt who wanted help during the midst of a mental health struggle.
Officers were called to the scene and encountered him. He was allegedly holding some type of knife and walked onto Sungate by Silkwood. Members of the Irvine Police Department crisis negotiation team also responded.
Officers negotiated with him for over an hour and encouraged him to put the knife down. Authorities claim that Daniel Meltvedt moved toward them while continuing to hold the knife.
It was at this point that an officer-involved shooting occurred. Paramedics were called to the scene to help the victim. Unfortunately, he was later pronounced deceased.
This was not the first time that officers had responded to incidents involving the victim. They responded to several mental health calls in the past.
Liability for Irvine Police Department Shootings
Police officers have a legal obligation to use the least amount of force necessary for any given encounter. According to 42 U.S. Code § 1983, every person who, under the color of law, deprives someone of their rights afforded under the Constitution, shall be liable to the injured party in an action at law. Police officers should take several measures to avoid injuring someone who may be in the midst of a mental health crisis.
- Recognize: Police officers should be trained to recognize the signs that a person may be unable to control their behavior due to a mental health issue.
- Distance: Police officers should use plenty of distance and avoid rushing any encounter with someone who may be in a mental health crisis.
- Reduce Stimulation: Police officers should avoid using flashlights, sirens, or shouting as these can worsen the situation.
- Crisis Team: Police officers should request a crisis intervention team when this is feasible.
When a police officer fails to follow safety measures advanced by their department with respect to someone suffering from a mental illness, this could be used as evidence of negligence. Consider, for example, Vos v. City of Newport Beach, 892 F.3d 1024 (9th Cir. 2018). In that case, police officers shot a man who was mentally unstable and acting erratically after he ran toward them holding a metal object. The ninth circuit concluded that a jury could find that officers used excessive force. In particular, the court noted that he did not pose an immediate threat of harm, and that his mental health crisis would’ve reduced the government’s interest in using any type of force.
Collecting Evidence After a Police Shooting
Police shootings are unfortunately very common in California. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, “More than four in ten people treated for non-fatal gunshot wounds from a police encounter were diagnosed with a mental health condition, an alcohol- or substance-related disorder, or both.” It is vital that certain measures are taken after any police shooting in California.
- The history of interactions involving law enforcement and the victim should be understood.
- Body camera footage from officers involved should be reviewed.
- The history of misconduct involving the officers involved should be reviewed.
- The family of any person who died in a police shooting should seek an independent review by a team experienced in civil rights claims.
A large portion of shootings are preventable. They tend to involve officers who are either unwilling or unable to de-escalate encounters. This is why it is so important that police officers receive ample training for handling any suspect who may be in a mental health crisis. The family of any person who died due to excessive force by a police officer is able to hold those officers accountable for their actions.
Investigating Irvine Police Shootings
We at the Carrillo Law Firm extend our deepest condolences to the family of Daniel Meltvedt. This was a tragedy that should’ve never taken place. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. There are a number of questions that have yet to be answered.
Do you need more information about a police shooting in Orange County? Are you concerned that the police officers are not being transparent about the entire situation? Our team of civil rights advocates is here to serve you. We have dedicated our careers to helping victims of police brutality and holding law enforcement accountable for their illegal actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free investigation into any particular incident, we’re here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 626-799-9375.
