OXNARD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The City of Oxnard has agreed to pay $6,700,000 to the family of Alfonso Limon, Jr., an innocent 21-year old man who died on October 13, 2012 when Oxnard police officers shot him to death after allegedly mistaking him for a suspect they were pursuing after a traffic stop. The City of Oxnard and the Oxnard Police Department also agreed to certain non-monetary terms as a condition of the settlement. The Limon family was represented in the case by attorneys from Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, Crane Flores, LLP and Maho & Prentice, LLP.
On the evening of October 13, 2012, Alfonso Limon, Jr. was walking home with his younger brother, Gerardo, after jogging at a local track. When Oxnard police officers encountered the Limon brothers, they mistakenly believed the brothers were suspects who had allegedly shot at them following a traffic stop and that the officers were pursuing. Nine officers fired weapons in the direction of the suspects and the Limon brothers. While Gerardo miraculously emerged from the shooting unhit, Alfonso was shot multiple times and suffered fatal gunshot wounds. At the time he was shot and killed, Alfonso had dropped down to his stomach to avoid the cross fire between the police and one of the suspects. Several neighbors witnessed the shooting and cried out to the officers “don’t shoot!” in the moments before the officers shot Alfonso. There is no evidence that either Alfonso or Gerardo ever tried to evade, flee, or fight the officers, and the Oxnard Police Department later admitted that its officers had shot and killed an innocent man.
The shooting death of Alfonso Limon, Jr. led to widespread outrage throughout the community over the conduct of the Oxnard Police Department. Monthly vigils were held by his family and friends at the spot where Alfonso was killed.
In addition to paying the family $6,700,000, the City of Oxnard and the Oxnard Police Department agreed to various other terms as part of the settlement, including educating its police officers that audio recording of incidents like these is mandated department policy. In addition, the City also is required to look into the feasibility of equipping its officers with either body and/or vehicle dash cameras to video record similar encounters. Further, the City has agreed to declare October 13th to be “Community Safety and Anti-Violence Day” in honor of Alfonso Limon, Jr. and are installing a memorial plaque for him near where the shooting took place.
“The death of Alfonso Limon, Jr. was a tragedy. No family should ever have to suffer the loss of a child because of the recklessness of police officers who shoot first and ask questions later,” states Limon family attorney Adam Shea of Panish Shea & Boyle LLP. Panish Shea & Boyle LLP attorney Tom Schultz adds, “Our hope is that the changes that the Limon family demanded the police department make as part of this settlement will prevent innocent people from being killed or harmed in the future. This case wasn’t about money. It was about justice for Alfonso.”
The Estate Of Alfonso Limon, Jr.; Alfonso Limon, Sr.; Alejandra Limon; and Gerardo Limon v. City Of Oxnard; The Oxnard Police Department; The Chief Of Police For The Oxnard Police Department, Jeri Williams; Senior Officer John Brisslinger; Officer Ernie Orozco; Officer Don Ehrhardt; Officer Jess Aragon; Officer Rocky Marquez; Officer Pedro Rodriguez; Officer Ryan Lockner; Officer Zack Stiles; and Officer Matthew Ross.
| United States District Court Central District Of California, Western Division |
| Case No. 2:13-CV-01961-SS |
| Hon. Suzanne H. Segal, Magistrate Judge, Courtroom 23 |
