Family in Apple Valley Claims Deputy Turned Against Them When They Called 911 for Help

Family Demands Accountability Following Deputy Shooting of 18-Year-Old in Apple Valley

An Apple Valley family is seeking answers after a sheriff’s deputy shot their 18-year-old son, Elijah Brown, during a response to a reported break-in. The incident occurred on February 2025, prompting public outcry and a lawsuit against the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

According to Tamara Brown, Elijah’s mother, she made the 911 call to report a potential break-in, staying on the line with a dispatcher as deputies arrived. "The 911 dispatcher assured her she could walk outside her home because it was safe," said Denisse Gastélum, the family’s attorney. Tragically, while attempting to flee to safety, she witnessed her son being struck by gunfire.

Footage from the family’s home security system captures the moment when the deputy discharged three shots, hitting Elijah in the stomach and chest. The sheriff’s department later claimed that Brown was armed with a knife. In response, Gastélum criticized the deputy’s actions, labeling the shooting as impulsive and racially motivated. "It’s a classic example of officers being reckless, racially profiling a young Black kid, and shooting first and thinking later," she stated.

The family has filed a lawsuit demanding the termination of the deputy involved and comprehensive bias training for the entire department. As investigations are ongoing, the San Bernardino District Attorney’s Office has yet to release body camera footage or 911 call recordings.

Elijah’s sister, Christianna Brown, expressed her relief that her brother survived, stating, "I thank God every day that I’m still able to call my brother, or my brother can come see me." Meanwhile, Tamara Brown raises concerns about the deputy’s training and decision-making. "My son wasn’t even out the door yet, and he starts shooting. He was biased, and he shouldn’t have been like that," she said, highlighting the family’s desire for accountability and reform.

As the community continues to grapple with this incident, the implications for police conduct and training remain a focal point for local residents and advocates.