Family and attorneys are calling the 2024 fatal San Gabriel Police shooting of 50-year-old Pedro Meza unjustified, demanding that the California Department of Justice prosecute the officers involved.
At a press conference, attorney Michael Carrillo, joined by Meza's family, raised serious accusations against the San Gabriel Police Department over the July 31 fatal shooting after viewing recently released footage of the incident.
Want to get caught up on what's happening in SoCal every weekday afternoon? Click to follow The L.A. Local wherever you get podcasts.
Carrillo called the body camera footage "one of the most shocking videos" he's ever seen. He says Meza was shot 47 times — including what he described as a final "kill shot" while Meza was already on the ground, unarmed, and not posing a threat.
Dora Hernandez, his widow, called for accountability.
"They broke our home," Hernandez said. "It's empty, and I want the DOJ to file criminal charges against these police officers. I want justice for my husband. I want justice for my children."
According to the San Gabriel Police Department, officers witnessed Meza commit a traffic violation, which led to a six-minute pursuit through city streets, a shopping center, and residential neighborhoods. They describe Meza's driving as "erratic."
The department noted it was later discovered that the vertical had been reported stolen.
The pursuit came to an end in Rosemead, near Meza's home on Charlotte Avenue. When Meza emerged from the 2015 Jeep, he pointed his hands at the officers in a manner they said is consistent with aiming a firearm, prompting the two officers to discharge their weapons and fatally shoot Meza.
No weapon was found at the scene, and Hernandez and her attorneys say Meza had no criminal history and no warrants for his arrest. As a result, the California DOJ has launched an investigation per state AB 1506, which requires the department to investigate all officer-involved shootings that result in the death of an unarmed civilian.
In a statement shared with KNX News, SGPD said:
Due to the active investigation currently being led by the California Department of Justice and ongoing litigation, the San Gabriel Police Department is unable to provide additional comments at this time.
As the Department of Justice is the lead investigative agency, not all details of the incident have been shared with our department, in accordance with their established protocols designed to ensure a fair and transparent process.
The San Gabriel Police Department remains steadfast in its commitment to serving our community with integrity, professionalism, and compassion. For any inquiries related to the investigation, please contact the California Department of Justice at (916) 210-6276.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok