LA Times: Family of deaf and autistic man, Isaias Cervantes, gets $25M settlement after he was shot by deputy
The Los Angeles Times reported that the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors agreed to pay the family of deaf and autistic man named Isaias Cervantes a $25 million settlement after he was shot in the torso by deputies from the LA County Sheriff’s Department in March 2021.
At that time, Cervantes was unarmed. His family explained in a GoFundMe in 2021 that although he is 25, he has the mental development of a six-year-old.
During that night in March 2021, Cervantes’ sister called 911 and said he was being aggressive with their mother. When two deputies arrived, they talked with a family member and were told that Cervantes was hard of hearing and had mental health issues. The deputies were told that there were no guns in the house.
When the deputies entered the house, they spoke towards Cervantes with their voices. When they tried to handcuff him, he seemed to try and break free. A deputy shot at Cervantes. I will show you a clip of body camera videos, but it doesn’t show the moment of the shooting.
[Clip] Credit: LASD. The video shows that when the two deputies enter Cervantes’ family house, they speak to him before moving towards him. As they try to handcuff him, he breaks free. One deputy shouts “He’s going for my gun!” The videos become very blurry. [End clip]
Cervantes’ family said he sustained a spinal cord injury and punctured lungs. He was permanently paralyzed and will need to use a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
The Cervantes family sued the county and now there is this $25 million settlement. The family attorney told the Los Angeles Times that it could help the family move forward.
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The LA Sheriff’s Department said the two deputies involved did not violate any policies with their use of force. Even after the settlement, the department said its internal review found no policy violations. They defended themselves.
Cervantes’ sister told the LA Times that the situation is “just not right” and that she wishes there would be more trained officers that know how to deal with disabilities.
Previous reports:
https://www.dailymoth.com/blog/deaf-autistic-man-shot-by-la-county-deputies