Legal Action Taken in Police Shooting That Claimed Life of 19-Year-Old Anaheim Man
Legal Action Filed Following Fatal Police Shooting in Anaheim
The family of a 19-year-old Anaheim man who was shot and killed by police on his front porch earlier this month has initiated legal proceedings against the city and the police department. This action follows the fatal incident on December 6 in the 800 block of South Philadelphia Street, and serves as a preliminary step before a potential lawsuit.
At a news conference held Tuesday, family members and their attorney announced the filing of a formal claim related to the shooting of Alberto Arzola. According to police reports, two officers engaged in gang suppression operations observed a group of men, including Arzola, fleeing into the neighborhood that night. Body-worn camera footage shows a physical altercation taking place on Arzola’s porch, during which an officer discharged his firearm, resulting in Arzola’s death.
Attorney James Desimone emphasized that Arzola was trying to comply with the officers’ orders before being shot. "Then you see his right hand extended," Desimone stated. "He puts his right hand on the ground. He’s not fighting those officers. He’s not threatening those officers, and then the officer does the unthinkable. He shoots him from the back."
The police have indicated that the officers believed Arzola was armed, reporting that a loaded assault-style weapon was found on the grass near the porch. However, Desimone and the family argue that evidence presented through photos and videos suggests the shooting was not justified.
The situation escalated approximately 18 minutes after the encounter with Arzola, as a crowd gathered near the scene. Video footage captured Arzola’s friend, 18-year-old Emmanuel Cordova, with his hands raised and back towards the officers. In this instance, police fired a bean bag round, striking Cordova in the head.
"He’s getting conflicting commands," Desimone remarked. "Stop, get on the ground. He does what he believes will protect him. He raises his hands… As he’s raising his hands, an officer takes aim and shoots him in his head with a less lethal projectile."
Anaheim police contend that Cordova ignored multiple commands and was possibly tampering with evidence at the time. Following the incident, attorneys revealed that Cordova has suffered a brain injury and indicated that separate legal claims will be filed in his case as well as on behalf of a 14-year-old relative who witnessed Arzola’s shooting.
In response to the ongoing situation, a spokesperson for the city of Anaheim stated, "Our thoughts go out to the family. We believe our officers acted in the best interest of public safety. Beyond that, we want to respect the thorough reviews underway and caution against any rush to judgement."
