Lorena Suarez Died In ‘Accidental’ Tulare Shooting That Involved An Off-Duty Reserve Police Officer On Cottonwood Street Near Parkwood Meadow Park
TULARE, CALIFORNIA (August 27, 2022) – A woman from Fresno County identified as Lorena Suarez was killed in an ‘accidental’ shooting with an off-duty reserve police officer.
Tulare County officials are saying that the shooting took place around 11:30 a.m. on Friday. Lorena Suarez, of Huron, was shot in the chest in what a caller said was an “accidental” shooting.
Two men were handling a gun under unclear circumstances. One of the men was described as an off-duty reserve police officer. Both men were taken to the Tulare Police Department for questioning.
Lorena Suarez was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Sadly, she died after being admitted. No one has been arrested thus far following the shooting.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Tulare Shootings
Accidental shootings are far more common in the United States than many people may realize. According to Injury Epidemiology, “We estimate 430 unintentional firearm fatalities in the United States per year. The rate is highest for older children to young adults, ages 10 to 29, and the vast majority of the victims are male. ” A large number of these shootings involve people who were playing with the gun before it went off. There are a number of steps that every responsible gun owner should take to prevent accidental shootings.
- Every gun should always be treated as if it is loaded.
- A gun should never be loaded until the user is ready to fire.
- A gun should always have the safety on until the user is ready to fire.
- A gun should never be pointed in the direction of any person or animal unless it is going to be used.
Far too often, ‘accidental’ shootings involve people who were being reckless with their firearm. Depending on the facts of any case, a police department could be liable for the reckless actions or excessive force that their officers engage in. Generally speaking, employers are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties.
Even if a police officer was off-duty when they shot someone, the department that they worked for could potentially be held at fault. Officer Salvador Sanchez shot and killed a mentally disabled man at a Corona Costco. The family of the 32-year-old victim who died filed a wrongful death suit against the city of Los Angeles. A jury of 8 found that officer Sanchez was acting within the scope of his employment – even though he was off-duty when the shooting took place. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any shooting.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
The family of any person that is killed in a shooting may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Unfortunately, police departments and gun owners will often fight extremely hard to deny liability for any shooting. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Tulare Shooting
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Lorena Suarez. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of the victim’s family.
Do you need more information about a Tulare shooting? Our team consumer safety advocates are here to answer any legal questions that you may have. We care deeply that victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need more information about an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
