Irvine — 20-year-old Daniel Meltvedt was fatally shot by Irvine police on July 21, 2026. 
Incident Details
At around 11:45 a.m., Irvine police were called by a man that reported that he was experiencing a mental health crisis and was outside his home with a knife. He would be found at a residential neighborhood at Sungate and Silkwood. Upon encountering Meltvedt, officers say they attempted to persuade him to surrender peacefully, but the man refused to heed commands and allegedly lunged at them with a weapon. In response, officers fired their weapons, striking Meltvedt. Officers began life-saving measures, and Meltvedt would be taken to a nearby hospital, where he would later be pronounced dead.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the Irvine Police Department are investigating this incident.
Legal Oversight and Use-of-Force Standards
Under California law, the use of lethal force by peace officers is governed by California Penal Code § 835a, which permits officers to fire their weapons only when they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury to themselves or others.
Key considerations in the review will include:
- Whether the individual’s actions posed an immediate and serious threat;
- Whether officers attempted de-escalation or less-lethal means, and whether those options were feasible under the circumstances;
- Whether departmental policy, training, and use-of-force protocol were followed properly.
If investigators find that the force used was unjustified or excessive under the circumstances, the shooting could give rise to civil-rights or wrongful-death claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
Seeking Accountability for Officer-Involved Shootings
If you witnessed this incident, knew Daniel Meltvedt, were in the area, or are seeking to understand your rights after a police use-of-force event:
1. Request Public Records
You may request:
- The full incident report and arrest record
- Officer statements and communication
- Body-worn-camera or patrol-vehicle dash-cam footage
2. Preserve Any Evidence You Have
Document your exact time, location, what you saw or heard, and your vantage point. Save any photos or videos you captured — including audio — and note relevant environmental details (lighting, proximity, bystanders).
3. Consult With a Civil-Rights Attorney
If you believe that the force used was unreasonable, department protocols violated, or constitutional rights infringed, legal options may be available.
If you or a loved one has been impacted by an officer-involved shooting such as this one involving Daniel Meltvedt, 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 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.
