New video shows Fullerton police officers using non-lethal rounds on a man who died shortly after the confrontation. Christian Cazares reports for the NBC4 News on March 6, 2024.
A man who was taken into custody Wednesday by Fullerton police died at a hospital after being struck in the chest by a "kinetic energy projectile" deployed by the officers, authorities said.
Officers were sent to a McDonald's restaurant in the 1300 block of South Brookhurst Road at about 3 a.m. Wednesday "regarding two males that were standing at the front of the doors, possibly under the influence of drugs,'' Fullerton police said in a statement.
The manager of the business was concerned for employees' safety as they began to arrive for work, police said.
According to police, when officers arrived, they contacted a man who was being uncooperative with officers’ commands and then started to swing a belt at them. Officer then used a taser to try to subdue the suspect but was “ineffective.”
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"The suspect continued to act erratically and was uncooperative as he refused to comply with officers' commands,'' police said. "Officers then utilized a less lethal kinetic energy projectile and struck the suspect, allowing officers to take him into custody.”
"At this time in the investigation, it is believed the suspect sustained a significant injury to the chest area as a result of the use of the less lethal kinetic energy projectile.
Officers tried to live-saving measure before paramedics arrive. The suspect was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died.
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The man’s identity was not immediately available.
The Orange County District Attorney's Office will conduct an independent investigation of the death.
