EspañolSuspect Critically Injured After Stabbing Himself and Being Shot By Police In Jurupa Valley
JURUPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA (June 9, 2024) – A man was critically injured after stabbing himself and being shot by Jurupa Valley police officers near 53rd Street and Cedar Street.
San Bernardino County officials are saying that the incident took place around 11:10 a.m. on Saturday. Deputies arrived on the scene and discovered a man who was in need of medical treatment.
The man appears to have stabbed himself. At some point during the encounter, the police said that the man approached them while holding a knife.
An officer-involved shooting then occurred. He was rushed to the hospital with critical injuries. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For San Bernardino County Police Shootings
Police shootings are often highly preventable and may involve instances where officers fail to de-escalate encounters. According to the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, “Research suggests that organizational policies and training can safely reduce the use of deadly force. Similar training approaches have been used successfully by several LE agencies to increase use of de-escalation strategies in situations involving individuals with severe mental illness, owing to long-standing community concerns about use of force against this population.” Police departments should take a number of measures in order to prevent police shootings.
- All officers should be trained to de-escalate encounters.
- Police departments should have specialized units for dealing with mentally ill suspects.
- Police officers should have less-lethal options with tasers.
- Police departments should have clear use-of-force policies.
Depending on the facts of any case, a police department could be liable for excessive force involving 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. Officers have specific guidelines for when they must interact with mentally ill suspects. Among other things, officers should:
- 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 a police officer fails to follow a safety rule from their employer, this could serve as evidence of negligence. Unfortunately, police departments will typically do everything in their power to defend the wrongful actions of their officers. The fact of the matter is that police officers often make encounters worse by screaming at vulnerable suspects and failing to follow protocol. Any person who is injured due to the excessive force of officers may have legal recourse through a civil claim.
Investigating Jurupa Valley Police Shootings
We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP were deeply concerned to hear about this Jurupa Valley police shooting. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened so that similar incidents can be prevented.
Do you need more information about a Jurupa Valley police shooting? Our team of civil rights attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that people are aware of their rights and that police departments are held accountable for their unconstitutional actions. 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.
