Police SHOOT Unarmed Man – Then LIE!
California police officer shoots unarmed man in the back of the head, then tells family he’s alive and on his way to the hospital while the body sits in their driveway.
At a Glance
- Jaime Valdez, 33, was shot and killed by Fontana police officer Alex Yanez while lying unarmed in his family’s driveway
- Police allegedly lied to the family, claiming Valdez was on his way to the hospital when he was already dead in the driveway
- Officer claims Valdez reached for his gun, but coroner’s report shows he was shot in the back of the head and shoulder
- Family has filed a lawsuit against Fontana Police Department for excessive force and negligence
- California Department of Justice is investigating the incident as required by law when an unarmed person is killed
Another Tragic Police Encounter Gone Wrong
Here we go again, folks. Another American family is left demanding answers after police responded to a call and someone ended up dead. The family of Jaime Valdez has filed a lawsuit against the Fontana Police Department following the November 2023 shooting that left the 33-year-old man dead in his own family’s driveway. According to reports, police were responding to a 911 call claiming Valdez was issuing threats while under the influence of drugs. When officers arrived, they found Valdez unresponsive in the driveway – not exactly the imminent threat that would justify what happened next.
What makes this case particularly disturbing isn’t just the shooting itself, but the apparent cover-up that followed. The family alleges that police told them Valdez was “on the way to the hospital” and “would be okay” – while his body was actually lying dead in their driveway the entire time. If true, this isn’t just negligence; it’s a calculated deception of a grieving family. The lawsuit claims Officer Alex Yanez unnecessarily escalated the situation, ultimately firing a fatal shot to Valdez’s head while he was already incapacitated. Meanwhile, the police department has stuck to their story that Valdez tried to grab the officer’s gun – despite inconclusive DNA evidence.
The Facts Don’t Add Up
The police narrative has more holes than a target at a shooting range. Officer Yanez claims Valdez attempted to grab his gun and taser during the confrontation – the classic “he reached for my weapon” defense we’ve heard countless times. But here’s where it gets interesting: the coroner’s report indicates Valdez was shot in the back of the head and shoulder. That’s right – the back of the head. Last I checked, it’s physically impossible to reach for someone’s gun while simultaneously turning your back and the back of your head toward them. The laws of physics still apply in California, don’t they?
“[An] officer basically shot an unarmed person in the back of the head and then lied to the family about it for a year or more. It’s pretty egregious.” – Bradley Yourist.
Body camera footage shows Valdez being tased before the shooting occurred. If a man is already being electrocuted by a taser, exactly how much of a threat could he possibly pose? And why would a trained officer’s only response be to shoot him in the head? The DNA tests on the officer’s weapon came back inconclusive – not exactly the slam-dunk evidence the department might want to support their version of events. The California Department of Justice is investigating this incident, as required by law when an unarmed person is killed by police. At least someone is asking the hard questions.
A Family Demands Justice
The Valdez family isn’t just grieving – they’re fighting for accountability. Jaime Valdez was described by his family as a music lover and sports fan who struggled with addiction and mental health issues. He was a father figure to his teenage daughter. These are the human details that often get lost in these cases. Whether you believe in defunding the police or backing the blue, we should all agree that shooting an unarmed man in the back of the head shouldn’t be an acceptable outcome from a 911 call about a family dispute.
“They lied about everything,” his sister, Rita Brandon, told The Times. “They came and they told my mom that my brother was gonna be okay, that he’d been shot and he was on the way to the hospital, and the whole time he was outside in the driveway dead.” – Rita Brandon.
Isabel Valdez, Jaime’s mother, has been clear about what she believes justice looks like: “I want justice for my son. The officer who took his life [should pay] just like any other criminal would pay. Just because he’s a police officer he shouldn’t avoid jail.” It’s hard to argue with that logic. The badge is meant to represent a higher standard of conduct, not immunity from accountability. The family’s lawsuit alleges excessive force and negligence – and based on the facts available so far, they seem to have a strong case. Americans expect police to protect and serve, not shoot and cover up.
