Scrutiny comes as California DOJ probes April shooting of Newark man, 19, carrying airsoft gun
WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC CONTENTFernandez, founder of the Bay Area police accountability nonprofit Together We Stand, watched asThe footage shows officers opening fire on the teenager afterhe “ignored officers’ commands” and grabbed from his waistband what they thought was a firearm, but was actually a replica airsoft pistol.
Fernandez–whose organization was formed after the 2014 police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and advocates for victims of police brutality and racism–joins civil rights attorneys who are questioning the actions of officers in the April 13 shooting of Lopez-Castaneda, who police have described as a carjacking suspect in a case where a car had been stolen at knifepoint earlier in the year.
“One of the things that I would say if I was suing them is that, ‘Hey, they all started screaming commands at the same time. He’s getting mixed messages,'” Cook said, adding, “The guy just didn’t have a chance.” Neither Cook nor Merin was representing Lopez-Castaneda’s family members in any civil action. It’s also unclear whether litigation is being pursued at all. The city of Newark said last month it had not received a claim for wrongful death or otherwise. In response to a public records request, the city of Fremont said it could not locate a claim related to the shooting. The filing of such claims can signal a forthcoming lawsuit.
In an emailed statement, Newark Police Chief Gina Anderson said she is “confident DOJ will conduct a fair and impartial investigation and I’m looking forward to the resolution.” Footage released by the Fremont Police Department shows events leading up to the fatal shooting of Lopez-Castaneda, starting with a carjacking at knifepoint that was caught by a surveillance camera on Feb. 14 in Newark and ending with Newark and Fremont police officers conducting a “high-risk traffic stop” on the stolen car April 13 at the Chase Suite Hotel Newark-Fremont on Cedar Boulevard.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The best Bay Area seafood shacks in Half Moon Bay and Point ReyesThere’s nothing like a tasty seafood meal after a long day at the beach. If you’re hankering for some fresh or barbecued oysters, crispy calamari, a bowl of steaming clam chowder or a plate of gril…
Read more »
Discovering the Bay Area’s hidden beaches from Half Moon Bay to Point ReyesLet the crowds descend on Stinson and Ocean beaches. We’re headed for seven glorious stretches of sand you may have never realized even exist.
Read more »
2 East Bay labs believe they're creating the future of meatThe two companies which recently received USDA authorization to sell lab-grown chicken are both located a few miles apart in the East Bay.
Read more »
A dozen people rescued from SF Bay waters Saturday, fire department saysA dozen people were rescued from bay and ocean waters roiled by winds of more than 30 mph Saturday afternoon, the SFFD said.
Read more »