Two felonies filed against a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy for shooting a man last year. After he had he no longer armed and had been shot to the ground.
Deputy Remin Pineda, who turns 38 today, will be charged later on one count of assault. Assault while using a semiautomatic weapon. According to the district attorney’s office for Los Angeles County.
He accuses of shooting David Ordaz Jr., 34, pointlessly on March 14, 2021. After deputies had already shot Ordaz outside a house in east Los Angeles. After Ordaz’s sister called the police to report that her brother was suicidal and carrying a knife. They went to the location.
Ordaz spoke with deputies outside the house. As he approached them brandishing a knife. Two of them fired beanbag rounds at him. Deputies opened fire on him as he ran in their direction.
Ordaz was lying on the ground with his back to the deputies. While he dropped the knife. However, body camera footage made public by the sheriff’s office shows a deputy—possibly Pineda—continuing to shoot at Ordaz while he is on the ground.
According to the District Attorney, George Gascón, this prompted the criminal charges on Wednesday.
According to a press release from Gascón, The public’s trust in law enforcement is damage by unlawful and excessive force used by officers, which also causes further rifts between them and the communities they serve. “We must hold law enforcement accountable when they misbehave. The tragic murder of Mr. Ordaz in front of his own family has had devastating effects that will last for years.
When he released video of the shooting last summer, sheriff Alex Villanueva questioned whether it was legal.
“I want to clarify that this deputy-involved shooting causes me great concern. The declaration date is on July 30, 2021. “The assignments of one of the deputies are canceled. While this investigation is ongoing, their peace officer responsibilities are on hold.
As of today, Pineda, that deputy, According to the court’s order, “will continue to have his peace officer authority revoked while the conclusion of the court proceedings.” the sheriff’s office.
The statement reads, “The Sheriff remains committed to encouraging employee actions demonstrating respect for life while ensuring the communities we serve are safe.”We offer Mr. Ordaz’s family our condolences for their loss.”
The announcement refers to as “a huge win” by Ordaz’s family in a post on the Instagram account @justicefordavidordazjr. They have filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the deputies and the sheriff’s office. According to the minutes of a recent status conference, retired U.S. District Judge Andrew J. Guilford is mediating the case.