Yesterday the Orange County Sheriff’s Department released a Critical Incident Video depicting the deputy-involved shooting that occurred on May 10, 2025, in Laguna Hills, Calif.
On Saturday, May 10, 2025, at approximately 8:00 a.m., Orange County Sheriff’s deputies shot a man in Laguna Hills after responding to a disturbance call involving a man with two knives.
The incident occurred in a commercial parking lot near Ridge Route Drive and Moulton Parkway. The man, who was allegedly armed with at least one knife, approached the deputy, and a deputy-involved shooting occurred. The man was critically injured and transported to a local hospital.
In order to foster greater public trust with the community we serve, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will publish Critical Incident Videos about incidents in which the actions of department members in the performance of their duties are likely to have a significant impact on the Department, community, citizens, or any other person, and/or incidents involving the use of deadly force or force resulting in serious physical injury.
Critical Incident Videos offer a clear and concise overview of the incident with relevant video, audio, photographs and information to give context to what occurred preceding, during and immediately after a critical incident. The videos will contain the factual circumstances as they are known at the time. No conclusions will be drawn about whether or not deputies acted in a manner consistent with our policies, and in accordance with the law, until all facts are known and the investigations are complete.
Per protocol, the investigation of the deputy-involved shooting will be handled by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
The man who was shot by Orange County Sheriff’s deputies in Laguna Hills on May 10, 2025, died. He was initially in critical condition after being shot, but he later succumbed to his injuries.
The suspect who was fatally shot would have faced serious legal consequences if he had lived. In California, approaching law enforcement with a weapon—especially in a threatening manner—can result in felony charges. These may include:
- Assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer: This is a felony under California Penal Code § 245(c), punishable by up to 5 years in state prison.
- Resisting arrest with a deadly weapon: Under Penal Code § 69, this felony can carry a sentence of up to 3 years in prison.
- Possession of an illegal or concealed knife: Depending on the type of knife and how it was carried, this could result in misdemeanor or felony charges.
