Martinez, CA – Martinez Police Officers Giani Arone, Cole Bennett, and Alexander Tirona were terminated following an investigation on their involvement in the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Tahmon Wilson that also wounded his brother, 22-year-old Tommy Wilson Jr. The incident occurred on August 18, 2023, in Martinez, California.
Incident Overview
According to reports, officers responded to a call regarding a possible burglary at a cannabis dispensary. When police arrived at the scene, they encountered Tahmon Wilson and his brother Tommy. When the brothers attempted to drive away, four officers opened fire, killing Tahmon and injuring Tommy, while also crashing their vehicle.
Tommy would be handcuffed as he was pulled from the vehicle, and records show Arone kneed Tommy several times in the head. Records also reveal that Arone, Bennet and Tirona also hid an illegal knife Bennett had on his person. Upon further investigation of the incident, all three officers would be fired by the Martinez Police Department
Legal Implications and Public Trust
Under California law, law enforcement officers may only use deadly force when it is “necessary” to protect themselves or others from an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury. This standard is established by Assembly Bill 392 (AB 392), which redefined the conditions under which officers are legally permitted to use deadly force.
Additionally, individuals whose constitutional rights have been violated by law enforcement officers may pursue civil claims under 42 U.S. Code § 1983, which allows victims or their families to seek damages for violations of their civil rights.
Incidents like these can damage the reputations police departments have within their communities, in turn making it more difficult for them to do their jobs to protect the public.
Seeking Accountability for In Custody Deaths/Officer Involved Shootings
We at the Sehat Law Firm offer our condolences to the family of Tahmon Wilson. There will be justice for him and his loved ones.
How can our firm assist with an investigation? Should you decide to consult with our firm, our investigation typically includes some or all the following investigative activities
- obtaining and reviewing medical records, autopsy reports and blood toxicology screening reports
- requesting a Public Records Request Act for documents and evidence for locating and interviewing critical witnesses to an incident
- subpoenaing third party entities if our firm is retained and a lawsuit is initiated
- securing surveillance video evidence, and at minimum, placing the jail entity on notice to preserve potential video and tangible evidence of an incident.
- identifying and contacting potential witnesses, if available.
What should I know if I want to file a wrongful death lawsuit?
Contact our experienced Civil Rights lawyers so we can analyze all your options and hear the specifics of your case. We will also assess your loved one’s history with the jail facility they were treated at. Having as much documentation and physical evidence as possible will help prove your wrongful death case so our attorneys can examine them and help bring you and your loved one justice.
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 so may not be completely accurate. If you have any concerns, please contact us, and we’ll update or remove the post as needed.
