EspañolLos Angeles Police Department Involved in Shooting of Hector Alaniz During Mental Health Crisis
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (March 4, 2025) – A man identified as Hector Alaniz was injured in a Los Angeles Police Department shooting along Bellevue Avenue in Echo Park.
Los Angeles County officials are saying that the incident took place around 4:00 p.m. on Monday. The mother of Hector Alaniz told police that her son was in the midst of a mental health crisis.
Los Angeles Police Department officials arrived at the scene and located the man. He initially fled the location, which prompted a short pursuit on foot.
At some point during the encounter, the man allegedly produced some type of weapon and was shot by gunfire and a less-lethal round.
Despite being shot, the pursuit continued until officers discharged a taser, which incapacitated Hector Alaniz. He was then taken into custody.
A full investigation into the Echo Park police shooting remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Echo Park Police Shootings
California has one of the highest instances of police shootings. Many of these encounters involve suspects in the midst of an acute mental health crisis. According to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, “Incidents in which mental or behavioral health conditions were named in association with the shooting comprised 23 percent (2,404) of all shootings by police. Injuries associated with behavioral health needs were more likely to be fatal.” Police officers are required to take certain actions if they know (or have reason to believe) that a suspect may be going through a mental health crisis.
- Request backup
- Calm the situation
- Avoid physical contact
- Determine if the suspect is taking medication
- Acknowledge the suspect’s feelings
- Not make any threats
All people in California have a legal right to live free from excessive force that is exercised under the color of law. 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 police officers failed to follow a safety rule promulgated by their employer, this could serve as evidence of misconduct. Victims of police shootings often suffer very serious and costly injuries.
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Amputations
- Organ damage
- Death
Police shootings are often highly preventable. In many cases, they involve officers who were either unwilling or unable to properly de-escalate the situation. When considering whether any instance of lethal force was justified, it is important to examine what happened beforehand. An officer’s actions may have been unreasonable, even if they seemed justified in the moments immediately leading up to a shooting. This is why it is so important that police shootings are properly investigated by an experienced civil rights attorney.
Investigating Los Angeles Police Department Shootings
We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP were deeply concerned to hear about the LAPD shooting of Hector Alaniz in Echo Park. It is our sincere hope that the victim will be able to make a full recovery. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. Los Angeles Police Department officers should receive additional training to de-escalate these types of encounters successfully.
Do you need more information about a Los Angeles Police Department 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 police departments are held accountable for their excessive force. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 626-799-9375.
