Brandon Salgado (Full Name: Brandon Ramon Salgado) Died In Long Beach Police Shooting At Home on Cerritos Avenue
LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA (September 18, 2024) – A 17-year-old boy identified as Brandon Salgado has tragically died in a Long Beach police shooting at a home on Cerritos Avenue.
Los Angeles County officials are saying that the incident took place around 8:35 p.m. on April 26. Long Beach police received a report of a person who may have a gun.
When police arrived at the home, they encountered Brandon Salgado in the yard of the house. Officers spoke with the boy for around an hour.
A SWAT team was called. However, officers ended up shooting the boy. Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help him. Brandon Salgado was taken to the hospital, where he later died.
The shooting is currently being investigated by the California Attorney General’s office, as required under Assembly Bill 1506. Pursuant to the bill, an investigation is required whenever an officer-involved shooting results in the death of an unarmed civilian.
Liability For Long Beach Police Shootings
A large number of police shootings involve unarmed suspects. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, “In about 80 percent of encounters resulting in death or a gunshot wound, the civilian was armed with a weapon, underscoring the risky environments officers face. However, when we also consider civilians who sustained other serious injuries, 56 percent were unarmed.” There are a number of mistakes that officers might make that could contribute to a police shooting.
- Officers may fail to de-escalate an encounter.
- Officers may have misidentified a threat. This may include mistaking non-lethal items such as phones for a weapon.
- Officers may have failed to use less-lethal methods first.
- Officers may have failed to wait for backup.
Police officers are typically given a great deal of discretion in how they perform their job duties. But at no point are they allowed to use excessive force. Pursuant to 42 U.S. Code § 1983, every person who, under the color of any statute, law or ordinance, causes a citizen of the United States to be deprived of their rights secured by the constitution, shall be liable to the injured party in an action at law. It is crucial that evidence is properly preserved after any police shooting.
- Body camera footage from all officers involved should be reviewed.
- Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- Medical records related to the shooting should be preserved.
Police shootings are often highly preventable. They tend to involve officers that are either unwilling or unable to properly de-escalate encounters. Indeed, police departments will often do everything in their power to deny responsibility if a suspect dies in their care. The family of any person who died in a police shooting may have legal recourse through a civil claim.
Investigating Long Beach Police Shootings
We at the Sehat Law Firm were deeply concerned to hear about the fatal shooting of Brandon Salgado. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. It is our sincere hope that measures are taken to prevent other tragedies like this.
Do you need more information about a Long Beach police shooting? Our team of civil rights attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that people are aware of their rights and that police departments are accountable for their misconduct. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (949) 825-5200.
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