Luis Amezcua Died In Custody Following Fight With Santa Ana Police Officers By La Quinta Inn
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA (April 11, 2022) – A man identified as Luis Amezcua has tragically died following an altercation with Santa Ana police officers by a La Quinta Inn.
Orange County officials are saying that the incident took place around 11:45 p.m. on Friday. Santa Ana police officers responded to the La Quinta Inn after receiving reports that Luis Guerrero Amezcua was allegedly breaking windows.
Police officers got into a fight with the suspect in their effort to place him into custody. Luis Amezcua was injured during the confrontation and taken to the hospital in order to receive treatment.
Sadly, the suspect could not be saved and died at the hospital. Santa Ana police officers have not commented on what type of force was used in order to subdue Luis Amezcua.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Santa Ana In Custody Deaths
Far too many people die every year in California following encounters with law enforcement. According to Police Use of Force and Misconduct in California (PPIC), “About 195 people die each year from interactions with California law enforcement. Gunshots are by far the most common cause of death: nearly 250 people are shot by police each year.” A large portion of these deaths involve suspects who were experiencing a medical or mental health emergency. There are a number of steps that police officers should take in order to avoid harming suspects.
- Officers should be trained to recognize when a suspect is experiencing a mental health crisis.
- Officers should be trained to de-escalate situations with suspects.
- Officers should only use lethal force as a measure of last resort.
All suspects have a constitutional right to be free from excessive force. Using excessive force on a suspect is a deprivation of their right to equal protection and due process under the constitution. Under California Law and legal precedent, an officer’s decisions prior to using lethal force can render his or her actions unreasonable. This is the case even if an officer’s use of deadly force at the moment of their attack would have been reasonable if viewed in isolation.
Consider, for example, the case of Tabares v. City of Huntington Beach (9th Cir., Feb. 17, 2021, No. 19-56035) 2021 WL 609854. In that case, an officer shot and killed a mentally ill suspect shortly after confronting them. Though the suspect’s mental illness should have been apparent to the officer, he failed to de-escalate the situation. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any suspect dies in-custody.
- The officer’s actions during the encounter should be considered.
- All police body cameras should be examined.
- Medical records should be sought.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
The family of any victim that died in police custody may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and funeral expenses. It is extremely important that evidence is properly preserved after any incident. 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 Santa Ana In Custody Death
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Luis Guerrero Amezcua. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of all who have lost so much. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent additional tragedies like this. Every human life is precious and should be treated as such.
Do you need more information about a Santa Ana in-custody death? Our team of consumer safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that suspects are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. 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.
