EspañolMale Suspect Was Allegedly Holding Brick Before Being Shot and Killed in Front of John Marshall Elementary School in Anaheim
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA (September 15, 2025) – Anaheim police officers shot and killed a man in front of John Marshall Elementary School at Falmouth Avenue and Holly Street.
City officials are saying that the incident took place around 12:45 p.m. on Monday. The Anaheim Police Department received a call about a suspicious person who was allegedly walking around with a brick and later a shovel.
An officer was called to the scene and encountered the man. For undetermined reasons, one of the responding officers opened fire and shot the victim.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the shooting to help the man. He was transported to a nearby hospital with critical injuries and later pronounced dead.
The incident sent John Marshall Elementary School briefly into lockdown. A full investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.
Liability for Anaheim Police Shootings
Police officers have a legal obligation to use the least amount of force necessary when encountering suspects. Police departments can be liable for the excessive force of their officers. 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. There are specific guidelines that officers must follow if they encounter a suspect that may be in the midst of 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
When an officer fails to follow proper protocols for dealing with a mentally ill suspect, this could form the basis of a civil claim. In particular, an officer’s “failure to follow a safety rule promulgated by his employer, regardless of its substance, serves as evidence of negligence.” See, for example, Grudt, 468 P.2d at 831 (citation omitted); see People v. Brown, 245 Cal. App. 4th 140, 171 (Ct. App. 2016). Despite this, many police shootings are initiated by officers who are poorly trained and ill prepared to deal with the difficult encounters they come across.
Steps to Take After an Anaheim Police Shooting
Police shootings remain quite common across 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.” Several steps should be taken after any Anaheim police shooting.
- Body Camera Footage: All of the body cam footage from responding officers should be carefully reviewed.
- Medical Records: Medical records related to the injuries that a person sustained should also be preserved.
- Eyewitnesses: Victims should seek the contact information of any witnesses that may have seen what happened.
- Legal Support: The family of any person killed in an Anaheim police shooting should pursue the guidance of an experienced civil rights attorney.
Police shootings are often highly preventable. These incidents tend to involve officers that are either unwilling or unable to properly de-escalate encounters. When police departments investigate the conduct of their officers, they will nearly always find that those officers did nothing wrong. This is why it is so important that fatal police shootings are investigated by an outside party that has experience with civil rights litigation.
Investigating Los Angeles County Police Misconduct
We at the Carrillo Law Firm extend our deepest condolences to the family of the man killed in this Anaheim police shooting outside of John Marshall Elementary School. Any person with more information should reach out to investigators. It is deeply concerning that a man simply holding a brick was violently gunned down outside of a school. There are so many questions that remain unanswered.
Do you need more information about an Anaheim Police shooting? Our team of Los Angeles County civil rights attorneys is here for you. We care deeply that victims are aware of their rights and that police departments are held accountable for the unconstitutional conduct of their officers. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can contact our office anytime at 626-799-9375.
