A Federal Judge ruled that the City of Santa Ana is not liable for the shooting of Brandon Lopez

On September 13, 2023, a federal court judge dismissed claims against the City of Santa Ana and Chief David Valentin stemming from a civil rights lawsuit related to an officer-involved shooting involving Anaheim Police Department officers in our city.

The only remaining claim against the City, brought by the decedent’s father, is the allegation Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) officers unlawfully detained him at/or near the scene of the incident. This ruling means the City and Chief Valentin are not liable for the shooting of Brandon Lopez, who was a cousin of current City Council Member Johnathan Ryan Hernandez.

The City of Santa Ana remains committed to the transparency and accountability of SAPD and its officers. We are proud of their exemplary police conduct and will continue to work diligently to ensure its officers are well-trained and equipped to handle complex situations while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct.

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

See Full Bio