DA Letter_Redacted - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

2 INVESTIGATIVE METHODOLOGY Among other duties, the OCDASAU is responsible for investigating officer-involved shootings within Orange County when someone has been injured as a result of police gunfire. An OCDASAU Investigator is assigned as a case agent and is supported by other OCDASAU Investigators, as well as Investigators from other OCDA units. Six Investigators are assigned to the OCDASAU on a full-time basis. There are additional OCDA Investigators assigned to other units in the Office trained to assist when needed. On average, eight Investigators respond to an incident within an hour of being called. The Investigators assigned to respond to an incident perform a variety of investigative functions that include witness interviews, neighborhood canvass, crime scene processing and evidence collection, vehicle processing, and hospital investigative responsibilities as needed. The OCDASAU audio records all interviews, and the OCCL processes all physical evidence related to the investigation. When the OCDASAU Investigator has concluded the investigation, the file is turned over to a veteran deputy district attorney for legal review. Deputy district attorneys from the Homicide, TARGET/Gangs, and Special Prosecutions Units review fatal and non-fatal officer-involved shootings and custodial death cases and determine whether criminal charges are appropriate. Throughout the review process, the assigned prosecutor will be in consultation with the Senior Assistant District Attorney supervising the Felony Operations II Division of the OCDA, who will eventually review and approve any legal conclusions and resulting memos. The case may often be reviewed by multiple veteran prosecutors, their supervisors, and the District Attorney. If necessary, the reviewing prosecutor may send the case back for further investigation. An important part of the investigation of an incident such as this is attempting to obtain a statement from the involved officers. Officer Gavin Roelofs declined to provide a voluntary statement to the OCDA. DISCLOSURE OF OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING VIDEO & AUDIO EVIDENCE The OCDA recognizes that releasing video and audio evidence of officer-involved shooting and custodial death incidents can assist the public in understanding how and why these incidents occur, increase accountability, and build public trust in law enforcement. Consistent with the OCDA’s written policy in connection with the release of video and audio evidence relating to officer-involved shooting and custodial death incidents where it is legally appropriate to do so, the OCDA is releasing to the public video/audio evidence in connection with this case. The relevant video/audio evidence is available on the OCDA webpage http://orangecountyda.org/reports/videoandaudio/default.asp. FACTUAL SUMMARY This officer-involved shooting incident occurred on the evening of July 1, 2018, inside a parking structure located at 1020 West Civic Center Drive in the city of Santa Ana. According to surveillance footage, on July 1, 2018, around 10:52 p.m., Taylor entered into the lobby of the OCSD Central Men’s Jail (CMJ). The CMJ lobby is equipped with surveillance cameras and an intercom system. The surveillance recording of the CMJ lobby showed Taylor wearing a gray t-shirt and dark colored shorts. In his left hand, Taylor was carrying a two to three foot long metal pipe and a one to two foot metal stake in his right hand. Taylor looked through the window of the locked staff entrance door. OCSD staff communicated with Taylor over the intercom system and asked “Lobby, how can I help you?” Taylor replied, he “need[ed] to speak to someone regarding some assistance.” OCSD staff asked Taylor what kind of assistance he needed, and he replied, “I need some assistance.” Taylor attempted to open the locked door by pulling on the handle multiple times. Taylor told OCSD staff he needed to report a “CPC 283.2.” Taylor was asked by staff to leave the lobby and proceed outside, but this request was ignored. At 10:54 p.m. Taylor exited the CMJ lobby and went out of camera view. Around 11:30 p.m., John Doe 1 was walking to the parking structure located at 1020 West Civic Center Drive, Santa Ana, where his vehicle was parked on the second floor of the structure. As John Doe 1 walked up the ramp of the garage to the second floor, he noticed Taylor standing by the passenger side of his vehicle. He assumed Taylor was attempting to break into his vehicle, so he continued towards Taylor and his vehicle. When John Doe 1 was approximately 30-40 feet from Taylor, Taylor began walking away. As Taylor walked away, John Doe 1 observed Taylor carrying a long strip of metal and a wire. Taylor continued up to the second floor of the garage. John Doe 1 got into his vehicle and followed Taylor up to the second floor. He observed Taylor attempting to lift the handle on a truck parked in the structure. John