The California Department of Justice has released a report on the officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of Jaime Valdez in Fontana, California, on November 11, 2023. The incident involved an officer from the Fontana Police Department and was investigated under Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), which mandates state-level reviews of all officer-involved shootings resulting in the death of unarmed civilians.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated, “I sincerely hope that this report provides the valuable insights and information that the community has been seeking. AB 1506 is a critical transparency and accountability tool, and our hope is that this report provides understanding needed to move toward a safer California for all. Together, we aim to foster a system that not only protects the rights of individuals but also promotes trust and accountability between law enforcement and our communities. Any loss of life is a tragedy, and we extend our condolences to Mr. Valdez’s family.”
According to the Department of Justice’s findings, an FPD officer responded alone to a call reporting threats at a home in San Bernardino County where an individual was allegedly violating a restraining order. Upon arrival, the officer encountered Jaime Valdez outside the residence. During an attempt to detain him, there was a physical struggle; after deploying a taser, Mr. Valdez reportedly assaulted the officer and attempted to take control of his firearm. In the ensuing struggle over the weapon, Mr. Valdez was fatally shot.
The DOJ concluded its investigation by determining there was insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the officer acted without intent to defend himself or others from what he reasonably believed was imminent risk of death or serious bodily injury. As such, no criminal charges will be filed against the officer.
As part of its review process under AB 1506—an initiative designed to improve public confidence through transparency—the DOJ made two policy recommendations for Fontana Police Department: First, it advised reviewing evidence documentation and preservation procedures for thoroughness; second, it recommended making all standards and training policies accessible on FPD’s public information portal rather than restricting them to internal platforms.
The California Attorney General’s office serves as chief law enforcement authority across California with responsibilities including enforcing state laws and promoting initiatives in civil rights and consumer protection (official website). Led by Rob Bonta (official website), it operates statewide as part of California’s executive branch (official website) and supports informed public policy through resources like OpenJustice for sharing criminal justice data (official website).
The full report regarding this incident is available online.
