EspañolInvestigation Underway After Driver Died in Brea Police Shooting Near Lambert Road and the 57 Freeway
BREA, CALIFORNIA (November 29, 2024) – A driver has tragically died after being shot by Brea police officers after a car accident near Lambert Road and the 57 Freeway.
Orange County officials are saying that the incident began around 4:45 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Brea police officers were notified about a driver who was possibly under the influence.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found a vehicle up against a retaining wall. Shortly after officers made contact with the driver, they opened fire and shot him after he allegedly moved his SUV towards an officer’s vehicle.
Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help him. But he could not be saved and was later pronounced deceased.
Liability for Orange County Police Shootings
Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured every year in police encounters. According to the Law Enforcement Epidemiology Project, “In the U.S. during a given year, an estimated 1 million civilians experience police threat of or use of force resulting in a conservative estimate of 85,000 non-fatal injuries requiring hospital treatment and 600-1000 deaths.” Police officers should take several steps in order to avoid needlessly injuring people.
- Request backup
- Calm the situation
- Avoid physical contact
- Not make any threats
Police officers must always 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. If an officer fails to follow a safety rule promulgated by their employer, this could serve as evidence of negligence. There are many different mistakes that a police officer could make that could contribute to a police shooting.
- An officer may have poor situational awareness and mistake a harmless item like a cellphone for a weapon.
- An officer may have focused too narrowly on a perceived threat and ignored bystanders.
- An officer may have failed to give clear verbal commands.
- An officer may have used lethal force when non-lethal measures would have sufficed.
Police shootings are often highly preventable. They tend to involve situations where police officers fail to de-escalate encounters. To make matters worse, police departments will virtually never take responsibility if they kill a suspect. When they investigate themselves, they will find that they’ve done nothing wrong. It is crucial that victims of police brutality understand that they do have rights. In particular, the family of any person who died in a police shooting may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim.
Investigating Brea Police Shootings
We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP extend our deepest condolences to the family of the driver killed in this Brea police shooting. Any person who may have more information should reach out to investigators. The Brea Police Department should do the right thing and be completely transparent about this deadly encounter.
Do you need more information about a Brea police shooting? Our team of civil rights attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that victims of police brutality are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 626-799-9375.
