police gunFullerton, CA – 19-year-old Pedro Garcia was fatally shot by police officers in Fullerton, California, after allegedly brandishing what appeared to be a firearm but was later identified as a pellet gun. The incident occurred on March 15, 2025, and is currently under investigation.

Incident Details

According to the Fullerton Police Department, officers responded to a call of a man reportedly threatening a family member with a knife at the 700 block of W. Orangethorpe Avenue at approximately 11:51 p.m. They encountered Garcia on the sidewalk outside the home.

Officers allegedly attempted to de-escalate the situation. At one point, Garcia lifted his shirt to remove an object resembling a handgun from his waistband. In response, officers shot Garcia.

Despite life-saving measures performed by officers and paramedics, Garcia died at the scene. Authorities later confirmed that the object he was holding was a pellet gun. 

Garcia’s mother would later state that the family had taken the knife away from Garcia and had told police that he was unarmed. The investigation remains ongoing.

Relevant Laws

According to 42 U.S. Code § 1983, individuals or their families have the right to pursue civil action if their constitutional rights are violated by law enforcement officials acting under the color of state law. This law is often cited in excessive force cases and allows affected parties to seek damages.

Seeking Accountability for Officer Involved Shootings

We at the Sehat Law Firm offer our condolences to the family of Pedro Garcia.

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.

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.