Los Angeles — On September 14, 2025, 30-year-old Francisco Garcia was shot by Los Angeles Police Department officers in the Boyle Heights neighborhood after a brief pursuit, when he allegedly brandished a firearm at officers. He is expected to survive, and an investigation has been launched.
Incident Overview
According to the LAPD, officers were on patrol in the area of the 2400 block of Malabar Street and North Soto Street at around 10:45 p.m. when they encountered Garcia. He fled on foot, leading officers on a short pursuit. Officers say Garcia brandished a gun during that pursuit, which prompted them to open fire. Garcia was shot and taken to a hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is expected to assess whether the use of force met the legal standard under California Penal Code § 835a, which allows for deadly force only when an officer reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury.
Legal Context & Community Concerns
- Use-of-force cases, particularly when a person is alleged to have brandished a gun, often spark debate over what constitutes reasonable threat and whether less lethal options were feasible.
- Civil rights laws, including 42 U.S.C. § 1983, offer a mechanism for individuals to seek redress if their federal constitutional rights were violated—especially in cases of excess force.
Seeking Accountability for In-Custody Shootings
We at the Sehat Law Firm were concerned to learn of this incident involving Francisco Garcia.
In A Police Shooting Incident, Why Is a Bullet Trajectory Analysis Important?
In a typical officer-involved shooting, the shooting officer(s) will attempt to justify their use of deadly force by claiming the person shot was an “imminent threat” to the officers’ safety, stating further that he either squared off with them, made a furtive gesture, reached for his waistband, or even reached for a gun or a weapon. However, police officers are trained that deadly force can only be used when objectively faced with an immediate threat of deadly harm or serious bodily injuries. Bullet trajectory analysis can either confirm or discredit a shooting officer’s version of the shooting by placing the decedent’s position away from the shooter. For example, when a person is shot in the back, it contradicts any claims that the suspect was charging the officer with a knife in his hand. Well-trained civil rights attorneys can pick up on these contradictions and help you win a shooting case when only one side of the story has been told.
If you or a loved one has been impacted by police misconduct or an in-custody incident, contact The Sehat Law Firm at (949) 825-5200 for a free consultation, or complete the form at the bottom of this page to discuss your case with our legal team.
Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and should not be considered legal or medical advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. Laws vary, and any referenced here may not apply to your situation. This article was created from secondary sources and may not be completely accurate. If you have any concerns, please contact us, and we’ll update or remove the post as needed.
