Los Angeles – 34-year-old Roger John Nielsen died on September 16, 2025 after being arrested by the LAPD.
Incident Details
At around 2:30 a.m, LAPD officers responded to a radio call reporting a robbery in progress at a convenience store in the 700 block of West Channel Street. Upon arriving they encountered Nielsen, who officers allege armed himself with a piece of plexiglass from a damaged sign. Officers struck Nielsen with a 40mm Less-Lethal Launcher, and Nielsen would eventually place himself on the ground face down. He would be taken into custody, and paramedics with the Los Angeles Fire Department would transport Nielsen to a local hospital, where he would be later pronounced deceased.
The Los Angeles Police Department is working with the Los Angeles County Coroner to determine the cause and manner of death.
Legal & Constitutional Standards
- Under California Penal Code § 835a, law enforcement officers may use force — including deadly force — only when it’s reasonably necessary to prevent imminent death or serious injury.
- As a person in custody, the decedent had rights protected under the Fourteenth Amendment, including the right to receive medical care without “deliberate indifference.”
- If medical needs were ignored, or conduct in custody was negligent, civil rights claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 may be possible.
Seeking Accountability For In-Custody Deaths
If you’re related to or affected by a case like this, here are recommended steps:
- Request all public records — including arrest and incident reports, medical logs, and coroner’s findings.
- Gather any witness statements or personal recordings, if available.
- Seek legal counsel to explore potential wrongful death or civil rights claims.
At The Sehat Law Firm, we help families through these difficult cases: we assist with evidence gathering, investigating whether rights were respected, and pursuing justice under state and federal law.
If you or a loved one has been impacted by police misconduct or an in-custody incident such as this one involving Roger John Nielsen, 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.
