Suspect, Innocent Bystander Killed Following Pursuit and Police Shooting In Ontario

Man Killed In Ontario Police Shooting That Also Left Innocent Bystander Dead Following Police Pursuit Near Grove Avenue and Philadelphia Street

Carrillo

ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA (May 6, 2024) – An innocent bystander was killed in a police chase, and the suspect involved later died in an Ontario police shooting near Grove Avenue and Philadelphia Street.

Ontario officials are saying that the incident began around 10:00 a.m. on Sunday. A man called the police and said that his sister’s ex-boyfriend was threatening to enter their home if she didn’t come outside.

When police arrived at the scene, they located the suspect and ordered him out of the vehicle. However, the suspect told officers that he didn’t want to go back to jail before leading officers on a pursuit.

The pursuit later ended in a crash near the intersection of Grove Avenue and Philadelphia Street. After the crash, the suspect fled on foot before being killed in an officer-involved shooting.

Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help two people injured in the car accident. An innocent bystander later died at the hospital.

Liability For Ontario Police Shootings

Far too many people are killed or seriously injured in police shootings each year in California. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, “About 195 people die each year from interactions with California law enforcement. Gunshots are by far the most common cause of death: nearly 250 people are shot by police each year.” There are a number of steps that police departments should take in order to prevent officer-involved shootings.

  • Police officers should be equipped with less-lethal munitions.
  • Police officers should be trained to de-escalate encounters.
  • Police officers should be trained to recognize the signs a suspect is suffering from a mental illness.

Depending on the facts of any case, a police department could be liable for an officer-involved shooting. 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. Several measures should be taken after any officer-involved shooting.

  • Body camera footage from all officers involved should be sought.
  • The actions of officers leading up to a shooting should be understood.
  • An experienced civil rights attorney should be contacted.

Both police shootings and police chases pose a great threat to the public. They should only be used as a measure of last resort after other actions have been considered. Sadly, though,  police departments will often do everything in their power to deny responsibility if one of their officers kills a suspect. This is why it is so important to have any officer-involved shooting independently analyzed by a civil rights attorney.

Investigating Southern California Police Shootings 

We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP were deeply concerned to hear about this police shooting in Ontario. This situation is made all the more tragic by the fact that an innocent person was killed during the police pursuit. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened.

Do you need more information about an Ontario 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 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.

Author

MICHAEL S. CARRILLO, Partner

Michael works on high-profile cases that have garnered national media attention. His practice today focuses on child sexual abuse cases, police misconduct cases, catastrophic injuries and other wrongful death matters. He is a passionate advocate for his clients including the countless child sexual abuse victims he currently represents.