The family of Emmanuel Perez Becerra, a 19-year-old who was fatally shot by a Sunnyvale police officer in March 2024, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city of Sunnyvale, the officer involved, and others. The lawsuit alleges that the officer failed to use de-escalation tactics and non-lethal force, resulting in the unnecessary death of Becerra, who was experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the shooting.
Emmanuel Perez Becerra , a 19-year-old, was fatally shot by a Sunnyvale police officer in March 2024 after he called 911 on himself. Police reported that Becerra was holding a knife and was shot while an officer was retreating. The teen's family has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city of Sunnyvale, the officer who shot Perez, and other involved parties.
Attorneys Adante Pointer and Patrick Buelna, representing Becerra's family, argue that the officer involved had alternative options available, including a Taser, pepper spray, and a baton. They claim the officer failed to de-escalate the situation and utilize non-lethal force, resulting in the unnecessary loss of life. The incident occurred after Becerra called 911 on himself, then walked towards an officer in a partially clothed state while holding a kitchen knife. Authorities believe this was part of a mental health crisis, exacerbated by Becerra's struggles since the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic. According to the lawsuit, officers arrived to find Becerra walking with a knife through his mobile home park, naked from the waist down. Police body camera footage and a patrol car dashboard camera, released in a news conference following the shooting, show Becerra approaching Officer Lemos with a 12-inch kitchen knife while being repeatedly instructed to drop it. Despite not raising the knife, Becerra was shot twice by Lemos, resulting in his death.The lawsuit alleges Becerra never posed a direct threat or charged the officers, and that the shooting violated Lemos' training. It accuses Lemos, the City of Sunnyvale, and other involved parties of excessive force, negligence, battery, wrongful death, and causing a loss of familial association. The city of Sunnyvale has declined to comment on the pending litigation. Chief Phan Ngo, the Sunnyvale police chief, stated after the shooting that the incident was a difficult situation for everyone involved and that any loss of life is taken seriously. He defended the officers' actions, emphasizing their repeated warnings and attempt to de-escalate the situation. Officer Lemos, who has been with the Sunnyvale Police Department since 2018, was placed on paid administrative leave following the shooting. The Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office also conducted an investigation
Police Shooting Civil Rights Emmanuel Perez Becerra Sunnyvale Police Department Police Shooting Civil Rights Lawsuit Excessive Force Mental Health Crisis De-Escalation Tactics
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