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REPLY TO: ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE WEB PAGE http //orangecountyda.org/  MAIN OFFICE  NORTH OFFICE  WEST OFFICE  HARBOR OFFICE  JUVENILE OFFICE  CENTRAL OFFICE 401 CIVIC CENTER DR W 1275 N. BERKELEY AVE. 8141 13TH STREET 4601 JAMBOREE RD. 341 CITY DRIVE SOUTH 401 CIVIC CENTER DR. W P.O. BOX 808 FULLERTON, CA 92832 WESTMINSTER, CA 92683 NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660 ORANGE, CA 92868 P.O. BOX 808 SANTA ANA, CA 92701 (714) 773-4480 (714) 896-7261 (949) 476-4650 (714) 935-7624 SANTA ANA, CA 92701 (714) 834-3600 (714) 834-3952 February 28, 2019 Chief David Valentin Santa Ana Police Department 60 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701 Re: Officer-Involved Shooting on July 1, 2018 Fatal Incident involving Donadony Blake Taylor District Attorney Case # SA 18-021 Santa Ana Police Department Case # 18-15953 Orange County Crime Laboratory Case # FR 18-49132 Dear Chief Valentin, Please accept this letter detailing the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) investigation and legal conclusion in connection to the above-listed incident involving on-duty Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) Officer Gavin Roelofs. Donadony Taylor, 46, died as a result of his injuries. The incident occurred in the City of Santa Ana on July 1, 2018. OVERVIEW This letter contains a description of the scope and the legal conclusions resulting from the OCDA’s investigation of the July 1, 2018, fatal officer-involved shooting of Taylor. The letter includes an overview of the OCDA’s investigative methodology and procedures employed, as well as a description of the relevant evidence examined, witnesses interviewed, factual findings, and legal principles applied in analyzing the incident and determining whether there was criminal culpability on the part of the SAPD officer involved in the shooting. The format of this document was developed by the OCDA, at the request of many Orange County police agencies, to foster greater accountability and transparency in law enforcement. On July 2, 2018, Investigators from the OCDA Special Assignment Unit (OCDASAU) responded to this incident. During the course of this investigation, 13 interviews were conducted. OCDASAU Investigators also obtained and reviewed the following: SAPD reports; body-worn camera video recording; audio dispatch and radio traffic recordings; Orange County Crime Laboratory (OCCL) reports, including toxicology, forensic alcohol examination, latent print, officer processing and firearms examination reports; crime scene investigation photographs; medical records and photographs related to the injuries sustained by Taylor; Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) reports; video of the Orange County Central Men’s Jail reception area; criminal history records related to Taylor including prior incident reports; and other relevant reports and materials including audio recordings of the conducted neighborhood canvass. The OCDA conducted an independent and thorough investigation of the facts and circumstances of this incident and has reviewed all evidence and legal standards impartially. The scope and findings of this review are expressly limited to determining whether any criminal conduct occurred on the part of SAPD officers or personnel, specifically Officer Roelofs. The OCDA will not be addressing any possible issues relating to policy, training, tactics, or civil liability. OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA TODD SPITZER, DISTRICT ATTORNEY