Community protests for justice after a police shooting in Fullerton.
The family of 19-year-old Pablo Garcia has filed a legal claim against the city of Fullerton following an alleged unjustified police shooting. Garcia was shot on March 15 during a police response to a domestic disturbance, and the family insists he was unarmed at the time. They seek transparency and accountability, including the release of body camera footage, and have called for an investigation by the Attorney General. Amid community protests, the police department has initiated an independent investigation.
In Fullerton, California, the family of 19-year-old Pablo Garcia has taken a bold step in their pursuit of justice. On April 2, they officially filed a legal claim against the city, raising serious concerns over what they believe was an unjustified shooting by the Fullerton police. This move comes on the heels of Garcia’s tragic death on March 15, 2025, during a police response to a domestic disturbance.
It all began with a late-night 911 call at approximately 11:50 p.m. that reported a troubling situation at a home in the 700 block of West Orangethorpe Avenue. According to police reports, they arrived to find Garcia outside the house, acting in a way that led officers to believe they needed to intervene.
The police attempted to use less-than-lethal force to subdue him, but chaos unfolded when Garcia allegedly revealed what appeared to be a handgun. Later, it turned out that this weapon was a pellet gun. Family members are adamant that Garcia was unarmed when police arrived, and some claim that he had already been disarmed well before officers got there.
Witnesses to the event paint a different picture than what the police present. Reports from family members say that police fired approximately 30 shots, continuing to unload their weapons even after Garcia fell to the ground. This has raised eyebrows and created an atmosphere of distrust towards the police’s version of events.
Adding to the situation, Garcia’s mother, Gabriela Ordones-Campos, has expressed her deep disappointment with the police, feeling that they were not there to protect her family, but rather to escalate a situation that could have been handled in a safer manner. Friends and family describe Garcia as a recent high school graduate who was working in construction with his stepfather.
With their legal claim, the family is seeking unspecified damages and an outpouring of transparency regarding the incident. The legal claim is an essential step towards potentially filing a lawsuit against the city and holds police accountable for their actions. They are also demanding the release of body-worn camera footage and any other relevant video evidence of the shooting.
The family is calling for California Attorney General Rob Bonta to conduct an investigation into the shooting, believing that the circumstances deserve a thorough examination. However, the California Department of Justice has stated that they will not investigate, asserting that the shooting doesn’t qualify as involving an unarmed civilian, a point that the family vehemently contests.
In a show of solidarity, family members and supporters staged a protest outside of Fullerton City Hall, chanting for justice and holding signs emblazoned with Garcia’s name. The community’s reaction to the tragic events has been almost palpable, with many feeling a need for answers and accountability.
Meanwhile, the Fullerton Police Department has indicated that an independent investigation is underway by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. They have committed to releasing video evidence within the next 45 days, as mandated by state law, but the families of Garcia are left feeling anxious and frustrated over the lack of clarity.
As the situation continues to unfold, it is clear that the Garcia family is fighting not just for their loved one, but for a commitment to transparency and justice in their community. Fullerton stands at a crossroads, waiting to see how this story will develop and what it means for the families living there.
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