Fatal Police Shooting of Chaz Macabee in Buena Park Under Investigation by CA Attorney General’s Office
BUENA PARK, CALIFORNIA (January 16, 2025) – A man identified as Chaz Macabee has tragically died in a Buena Park police shooting by the 5 Freeway and Artesia Boulevard.
Buena Park police officers are saying that the incident took place around 1:00 PM on Tuesday. Officers got reports about a man who is possibly armed and walking along the lanes of the 5 Freeway.
Officers made contact with Chaz Macabee. At some point during the encounter, police officers opened fire and struck the suspect.
Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the man. He was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.
Despite the best efforts of medical staff, he was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The death of Chaz Macabee is currently being investigated by the California Attorney General’s office.
There are very few details about what may have led up to the shooting. A full investigation remains ongoing.
Legal considerations for Buena Park Police Shootings
Police shootings are often highly preventable. In many circumstances, they involve suspects who are in the midst of a mental health crisis. According to the Treatment Advocacy Center, “The risk of being killed while being approached or stopped by law enforcement in the community is 16 times higher for individuals with untreated serious mental illness than for other civilians.” There are a number of signs that an individual may be in the midst of a mental health crisis that police officers should be aware of.
- A suspect may display disorganized speech or thoughts.
- A suspect may have sudden mood swings that include yelling.
- A suspect may display heightened aggression or hostility.
- A suspect may be hyperventilating or show other signs of acute stress.
Police officers should be trained to help suspects who were in the midst of a mental health crisis. It is also possible that a suspect may be under the influence of an intoxicating substance. No matter the circumstance, police officers must use the least amount of force possible to avoid needlessly harming suspects. If a police officer uses excessive force and kills a suspect, who is not an immediate risk of harm, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. It is important that certain steps are taken after any fatal police shooting.
- The actions of the officers involved should be understood.
- The knowledge of the officers involved leading into the encounter should be reviewed.
- Medical records related to the shooting should be preserved.
- It should be determined if the officers involved were previously disciplined for misconduct.
Whether or not any shooting in California is excessive will be determined in part by the totality of events leading up to the deadly encounter. For example, a police shooting may have been excessive or illegal if officers failed to follow protocol related to dealing with suspects who were in the midst of a mental health crisis. This is why it is so important that police departments have specialized units for dealing with people who may be going through a mental health crisis or some other acute trauma. The family of any person who is killed in a police shooting may be able to seek some measure of accountability and transparency through a civil claim.
Investigating Buena Park Police Shootings
We at the Sehat Law Firm were deeply concerned to hear about this fatal police shooting of Chaz Macabee. It is our sincere hope that the Buena Park police department will be transparent about what took place. Steps need to be taken to ensure that the constitutional rights of all Californians are protected, no matter what they are being accused of.
Do you need more information about a Buena Park police shooting? Our team of civil rights advocates is here to assist in any way that we can. We are determined to hold police departments accountable for their unconstitutional actions and informed the public of their rights. We are dedicated entirely to civil rights investigations and claims. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance, we may be able to get you the information that you’re looking for. You can reach out to us anytime at (949) 825-5200.
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