The City of Fullerton offered to settle with the family of a homeless schizophrenic man who died after a run-in with law enforcement. The settlement offer, topping $900,000, would be in exchange for the relinquishment of any civil claims against the city for misconduct or assault by the Fullerton officers responsible for the man’s death.
The victim’s father recounts the tragic beating of his son who died July 10. Law enforcement became involved when alerted as to a potential car burglary in the area. The death is still under investigation by the coroner, FBI and the Orange County District Attorney. A cause of death has yet to be determined.
An amateur video purports to showcase the victim being beaten over again with a stun gun. Six officers were involved in the July 5 incident. One officer is on administrative leave while the other five remain temporarily re-assigned.
The victim’s father has been very vocal and outspoken against the Fullerton police department and immediately made public the settlement offer on a local radio station. The father also is considering the offer as a way to set up a fund to assist other homeless individuals in the area. Nearly 200 protesters gathered on Saturday to protest the Fullerton police department and raise awareness of the plight of the victim.
Images of the victim have been shopped around the internet and portray him beaten and bloody with swollen eyes and blood across the face. The Fullerton police have not commented on the matter.
Anyone with information relating to the matter is encouraged to contact the Orange County district attorney.
