Yan Li Died In Little Italy, San Diego Police Shooting At Her Home On West Beach Street
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA (March 28, 2022) – Dr. Yan Li, a graduate of the Yale School of Public Health, has tragically died after being shot and killed by San Diego police officers at her home in Little Italy along West Beach Street.
San Diego County police officials are saying that the officer involved shooting took place on March 3. Police officers were serving Yan Li with an eviction notice.
Police officers began shouting commands at the woman and ordering her to comply with their demands. Yan Li is seen visibly distraught in a video of the encounter. She was holding what appears to be a knife prior to being shot by officers.
Paramedics were called to the scene and began efforts to save her. Sadly, she was beyond medical aid and later died due to her injuries.
Her ex husband told reporters that she suffered from bipolar disorder and sought treatment in the United States and China. He said that law enforcement didn’t recognize that she was in the midst of a mental health crisis and failed to diffuse the situation.
This is an opinion shared by the Dean of the Yale’s School of Public Health, Dr. Sten Vermund, who was also a mentor to Yan Li. He wrote a powerful opinion piece in the San Diego Union-Tribune.
According to Dr. Vermund, “It is evident from our perspective that Dr. Li, facing eviction, was in a state of crisis when she opened her door to a deputy serving the notice. Dr. Li expressed doubt as to the authenticity of the law enforcement officer, opened her door holding a knife, and slammed the door after a brief verbal exchange. The officer responded by swearing and shouting, likely validating, in Dr. Li’s perspective, the threat to her welfare.”
A full investigation into the tragic Little Italy police shooting remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In San Diego Police Shootings
Far too many people are killed or seriously injured in police shootings every year in the United States. According to one report from the Washington Post, 1,037 people were killed in 2021 in police shootings. A large portion of these shootings involve suspects that were undergoing a serious mental health crisis. The Treatment Advocacy Center estimates that people with untreated mental illness were 16 times more likely to be killed by law enforcement. There are a number of steps that can be taken in order to reduce fatal encounters with suspects experiencing a health crisis.
- Officers should receive plenty of non-lethal crisis intervention training.
- Officers should be trained to recognize when a suspect is in the middle of a mental health crisis.
- Officers should be trained to de-escalate crises to the best of their ability.
- The role of mental illness in police shootings should be properly identified and recorded.
- Mental health programs should be adequately funded so that people with severe mental illness don’t deteriorate until police intervention is needed.
Depending on the specific facts of any case, a police department could potentially be liable for killing a mentally ill suspect. Pursuant to California Penal Code 835a. (1), “That the authority to use physical force, conferred on peace officers by this section, is a serious responsibility that shall be exercised judiciously and with respect for human rights and dignity and for the sanctity of every human life. The Legislature further finds and declares that every person has a right to be free from excessive use of force by officers acting under color of law.” Officers may only use lethal force when it is necessary in the defense of a human life.
When a police officer uses excessive force, the department that they work for could face liability. Consider, for example, the case of Tabares v. City of Huntington Beach (9th Cir., Feb. 17, 2021, No. 19-56035) 2021 WL 609854. Mr. Tabares, who had mental health issues, was fatally shot by police officers after a brief encounter. The court held that California negligence law is broader than the 4th amendment in excessive force cases. An officer’s pre-shooting decisions can render his behavior unreasonable under all of the circumstances. The court held that the police officer that shot Mr. Tabares failed to follow police protocol for dealing with mentally ill suspects before using force. In particular, there was ample evidence that the officer failed to de-escalate the situation. There are a number of steps that should be taken after an officer involved shooting.
- All police bodycam footage of the incident should be examined.
- The officers conduct leading up to the shooting should be examined.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
The family of any victim that died in a police shooting may be able to seek some measure of justice through a wrongful death claim. Damages can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. It is extremely crucial that evidence is properly preserved after any officer shooting. Evidence is what will ultimately be used to determine liability. Sadly, police departments will often do everything in their power to deny responsibility for shooting and killing a mentally ill suspect. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A San Diego Police Shooting
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Dr. Yan Li. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. This is extremely unfortunate and may have been preventable. It is deeply regretful that so many police departments are poorly trained when it comes to dealing with suspects experiencing a mental health crisis. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened. Steps should also be taken to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.
Do you need more information about a San Diego police shooting? Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any legal questions that you may have. We care deeply that victims are aware of their rights and that police departments and their officers are held to account for their actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an incident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
