Family Files $30 Million Wrongful Death Claim After Man Fatally Shot by San Bernardino Deputy

Wrongful Death Claim Filed

• 💔 The family of a 37-year-old father of two from Redlands has filed a $30 million wrongful death claim against the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and the county.
• 🕊️ The incident occurred on December 16th, just before 7:30 AM, during what the family describes as a routine morning walk.

Incident Details and Conflicting Accounts

• 🚨 A deputy responded to a trespassing call at the rail line between Nevada and California Streets in Redlands.
• ⚠️ The Sheriff's Department alleges the man refused commands to leave, became confrontational, and armed himself with rocks before approaching the deputy aggressively.
• 🎥 A witness video shows the man with his arms outstretched, walking towards the deputy, who then opened fire approximately nine times.
• 🗣️ The family's attorney disputes the department's account, stating the deputy continued firing as the man turned his back, arguing this does not warrant lethal force unless immediately life-threatening.

Lack of Transparency and Ongoing Investigation

• ❓ There is uncertainty regarding whether the deputy had a body-worn camera, and the exchange between the deputy and the deceased is not publicly known.
• 🚫 The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department declined to provide a statement, leaving questions about the deputy's identity, their current status, and whether the department still stands by its initial report.
• ⚖️ The family's attorney expressed frustration, calling this another instance of law enforcement not facing consequences for lethal encounters.