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| CREDIT: Christopher Sadowski Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has "grave concerns" over an incident that occurred in March that involved deputies shooting and killing a 34-year-old Hispanic man outside of his family home in East Los Angeles. Just days after David Ordaz Jr.'s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against four deputies and Los Angeles County, snippets of a bodycam video along with 911 call pieces was released. The video was highly edited. A copy of the coroner's report as well the full unedited bodycam video have been requested by officials. The sheriff's Deputies named in the lawsuit are Edwin Navarrete, Jaime Romero, Nathaniel Trujillo, and Remin Piñeda. It has been confirmed these deputies were involved in the shooting. It has been noted one of the deputies have been relieved of duty and his peace officer powers were suspended. There was no specification as to which deputy this was or why it was that certain individual. There is no indication as to whether or not the deputies have lawyers to represent them in court. During a portion of the 911 call released, a woman tells the dispatcher that she needs help as she's sitting in the car with her suicidal brother Ordaz. The dispatcher tries to guide her in helping him. It was confirmed over the call that Ordaz had a knife which was described as "a regular kitchen knife." Ordaz later interjects saying he has "a big-ass butcher knife." The sister explained Ordaz's previous struggle with drug abuse. She believed he had been using methamphetamines and had been having suicidal thoughts "for a while." She said, "He also talked about suicide by cop, so I'm afraid for that." The deputies responded to the scene and found Ordaz sitting in his car outside of his home. Previously, the deputies had requested less lethal force and a Mental Evaluation Team (MET). The bodycam footage shows the deputies ordering Ordaz out of his car. He did so but can be seen holding a knife in his right hand. Deputies continued asking Ordaz to drop the knife to which he refused, telling the deputies to shoot him. The deputies then detained Ordaz at gunpoint while waiting for backup, a supervisor and a mental evaluation team. One deputy can be heard saying, "We're not here to shoot you, dude, we're here to help you out." Another deputy asking Ordaz why he was upset. Ordaz replied saying, "Because you won't f**king shoot!" The profanity was bleeped out during the editing process. Ordaz then walked behind his car, to the sidewalk in front of the house where various members of his family were waiting. Police demanded the family get back as they were "in the crossfire." As Ordaz moved closer to the deputies, at least one fired less-lethal stun bags. Ordaz stumbled back, then runs forward. Deputies opened fire, shooting him while his families' screams can be heard in the background. Paramedics arrived, transported Ordaz to hospital where he was found dead. There is no clear indication of how many of the deputies opened fire or how many rounds were fired. Deputies retrieved a 12-inch-long kitchen knife. The police summary stated Ordaz "quickly changed direction and moved toward the deputies while still holding the knife." The family lawsuit states Ordaz "turned to flee down the sidewalk." The coroner's report states all but two of the bullets struck Ordaz in the back or side. It even noted that a "helpless" Ordaz "looked up from the pavement without any weapon" as "the killing shot was fired into his chest." Ordaz's family have released mobile phone footage that allegedly supports their claim. The lawsuit also claims Ordaz "was not in his right mind and required special attention and handling to avoid injury." It also alleges, "Such special attention and handling were not provided by defendants, and instead defendants used unjustifiable lethal force." Homicide investigators are now looking into Ordaz's death. Their finding will be sent to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office where it will be determined if their use of lethal force broke any laws. |
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