The California Department of Justice has released a report on the officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of Jay Jackson in Moreno Valley, California, on July 22, 2022. The investigation was conducted under Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), which mandates the DOJ to investigate all incidents where an unarmed civilian is killed by law enforcement officers in the state.
According to the report, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to a call at an O’Reilly Auto Parts store after Jackson told employees he was armed and intended to kill someone. Employees locked the doors and called 911. When deputies arrived, Jackson was seen pacing in the parking lot with his hand in his pocket. Deputies used patrol vehicles for cover and attempted de-escalation, issuing multiple commands for Jackson to show his hands and offering mental health and medical support. Jackson did not comply with commands and advanced toward a deputy while pulling out a shiny metallic object from his pocket. A deputy fired once, striking Jackson in the chest. He later died at a hospital. The object he pulled out was identified as a metallic razor handle without a blade.
After its investigation, the DOJ concluded there was insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the deputy acted unlawfully or without intent to defend themselves or others from what they believed was an imminent threat of death or serious injury. As such, no criminal charges will be filed against the involved deputy.
Attorney General Rob Bonta commented on the findings: “This was a tragic situation with a tragic outcome,” said Attorney General Bonta. “I sincerely hope this report provides valuable insights and information to the community. The California Department of Justice aims to partner with law enforcement to build a just and equitable legal environment, ensuring that the rule of law is upheld, and justice is accessible to everyone. 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.”
In addition to its findings on criminal liability, DOJ issued five policy recommendations for RCSD:
– Revising use-of-force policies to require specific de-escalation techniques when feasible.
– Updating critical incident procedures so only one deputy communicates directly with subjects during such events.
– Adopting standardized shotgun loading protocols with training for deputies.
– Providing refresher training on body-worn camera activation and monitoring compliance.
– Evaluating implementation of digital in-car video systems in patrol units for broader incident documentation.
A full copy of the report is available online.
