Essential California: Video captures deputies' fatal use of force

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is grappling with a troubling case in which deputies are seen on video repeatedly shooting a man holding a knife outside his family's home. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Los Angeles Times] [Essential California Newsletter] August 3, 2021 [View in browser]( Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California [newsletter](. It’s Tuesday, Aug. 3. I’m Shelby Grad filling in for Justin Ray. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is grappling with a troubling case in which deputies are seen on video repeatedly shooting a man holding a knife outside his family’s home. The family had called deputies because the man, David Ordaz Jr., was acting suicidal. The video, taken by deputy body cameras, was released Friday night by the department. The Times spoke to several use-of-force experts who said it showed problematic behavior by deputies. The video: Ordaz, 34, had told deputies he was upset because they wouldn’t shoot him. His sister had told a 911 dispatcher that Ordaz had talked about suicide-by-cop, and that she was “afraid for that.” As a deputy yelled at Ordaz to “stand back,” several shot stun-bag rounds at him from what appeared to be several yards away. Ordaz then advanced a few steps forward and was hit with nine bullets in a barrage that continued even after he fell onto the pavement. The analysis: Seth Stoughton, a former Florida police officer and University of South Carolina law professor, said the volley of shots went on longer than necessary. Other experts who viewed the footage at The Times’ request said it was counter-productive for multiple deputies to have tried to communicate with Ordaz, potentially escalating the situation. [See more of their comments here.]( The fallout: [In sign of how serious the incident is,]( Sheriff Alex Villanueva, in a rare criticism of his own deputies, has said the shooting has given him “grave concerns.” One of the deputies has been relieved of duty and his police powers are suspended. The Sheriff’s Department said it will forward the investigation to the FBI for review. Ordaz’s [heartbroken family is outraged.]( Here [is the graphic video]( the Sheriff’s Department. And now, here’s what’s happening across California. Note: Some of the sites we link to may limit the number of stories you can access without subscribing. ADVERTISEMENT L.A. STORIES Backers have called L.A.’s new camping ordinance a more humane way to clear encampments, with outreach teams offering shelter and services before any enforcement takes place. Critics say it punishes people for living on the street. Who is right? We explore. [Los Angeles Times]( Despite protections, “eviction clusters” hit Long Beach. [CalMatters]( Is L.A.’s transit system failing women? Some believe so and are offering these solutions. [LAist]( Can an outdoor market slow gentrification in the Inglewood area? “Down the street with the Hollywood casino and so much gentrification going on, I wanted someone from the community to bring something back here that was for the people here.” [L.A. Taco]( Our daily news podcast If you’re a fan of this newsletter, you’ll probably love our new daily podcast, “The Times,” hosted by columnist Gustavo Arellano, along with reporters from across our newsroom. Every weekday, it takes you beyond the headlines. 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