Multiple investigations are underway after a California police officer shot and killed an innocent bystander sitting in his car during the police pursuit of a suspect wanted on a felony warrant, the Santa Maria Times initially reported. Officials have not said what charges the suspect was arrested on in the incident Saturday in Guadalupe, which is on the central California coast about 70 miles northwest of Santa Barbara.
“Tragically, 59-year-old Juan Luis Olvera-Preciado of Guadalupe, was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 10:13 p.m,” the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office said in a statement on Sunday. “The suspect with the felony warrant was ultimately arrested at the scene. Neither the officers nor the suspect were injured.” Civil rights attorney Ben Crump tweeted about the shooting on Wednesday: “This innocent civilian should still be ALIVE!” he said in the tweet. “This reckless use of force by law enforcement is inexcusable!”
Guadalupe Police Chief Michael Cash said during a news conference that “we all really have to wait” until details of the investigation come out. “We have an external investigation and then the administrative investigation to make sure (we) look at our policies, procedures, training to make sure that we’re doing what we should be doing,” Cash said. “So I wanted that, and I asked for that, and everyone stepped forward so we can be as transparent, thorough, and complete as possible.”
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The Santa Maria Police Department, a neighboring police department, is conducting the administrative investigation. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is assisting with the investigation, and the California Department of Justice has also launched an investigation under a new state law that went into effect on July 1. Assembly Bill 1506 requires the attorney general's office to look into any officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of an unarmed person.
“Following notification by local authorities, the California Department of Justice’s California Police Shooting Investigation Team for Southern California immediately deployed to the scene of the OIS,” the office of the state attorney general said in a news release. “Alongside local authorities, the California Department of Justice is investigating the incident. Once the investigation has been completed, it will be turned over to the California Department of Justice’s Special Prosecutions Section within the Criminal Law Division for independent review.”
Cash said during the news conference on Monday that the Olvera-Preciado’s family and his officers are the department’s main priorities right now. “One of the main things that I want to put at the top of this is the welfare of the family,” he said. “Officers are also having a very hard time with this. This is really tough right now.”
Zuleima Olvera organized a Gofundme campaign for the victim's family. Olvera said in the campaign: "On behalf of the Family Olvera with heavy heart and in disbelief and severely hurting are trying to put Juan Luis Olvera Preciado to rest. We are honoring his wishes for the funeral he would like. We ask for you help in honoring his wishes. We greatly appreciate it and anything anything at all helps nothing is to little. Hoy por ellos y mañana por nosotros. GRACIAS DE TODO CORAZÓN. Que Dios los bendiga."
“Tragically, 59-year-old Juan Luis Olvera-Preciado of Guadalupe, was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 10:13 p.m,” the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office said in a statement on Sunday. “The suspect with the felony warrant was ultimately arrested at the scene. Neither the officers nor the suspect were injured.” Civil rights attorney Ben Crump tweeted about the shooting on Wednesday: “This innocent civilian should still be ALIVE!” he said in the tweet. “This reckless use of force by law enforcement is inexcusable!”
Guadalupe Police Chief Michael Cash said during a news conference that “we all really have to wait” until details of the investigation come out. “We have an external investigation and then the administrative investigation to make sure (we) look at our policies, procedures, training to make sure that we’re doing what we should be doing,” Cash said. “So I wanted that, and I asked for that, and everyone stepped forward so we can be as transparent, thorough, and complete as possible.”
YouTube Video
The Santa Maria Police Department, a neighboring police department, is conducting the administrative investigation. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is assisting with the investigation, and the California Department of Justice has also launched an investigation under a new state law that went into effect on July 1. Assembly Bill 1506 requires the attorney general's office to look into any officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of an unarmed person.
“Following notification by local authorities, the California Department of Justice’s California Police Shooting Investigation Team for Southern California immediately deployed to the scene of the OIS,” the office of the state attorney general said in a news release. “Alongside local authorities, the California Department of Justice is investigating the incident. Once the investigation has been completed, it will be turned over to the California Department of Justice’s Special Prosecutions Section within the Criminal Law Division for independent review.”
Cash said during the news conference on Monday that the Olvera-Preciado’s family and his officers are the department’s main priorities right now. “One of the main things that I want to put at the top of this is the welfare of the family,” he said. “Officers are also having a very hard time with this. This is really tough right now.”
Zuleima Olvera organized a Gofundme campaign for the victim's family. Olvera said in the campaign: "On behalf of the Family Olvera with heavy heart and in disbelief and severely hurting are trying to put Juan Luis Olvera Preciado to rest. We are honoring his wishes for the funeral he would like. We ask for you help in honoring his wishes. We greatly appreciate it and anything anything at all helps nothing is to little. Hoy por ellos y mañana por nosotros. GRACIAS DE TODO CORAZÓN. Que Dios los bendiga."