Anaheim Riot Injuries
Rubber bullets, bean bags, pepper balls, sticks, rocks, bottles and random objects have been exchanged between officials and protesters in Anaheim over the last few days after an Anaheim police officer allegedly shot a known gang member twice and killed him. The death remains under investigation, but for the time being, riots have erupted, businesses have been vandalized, and a law suit for $50 million has been sparked a federal investigation.
An event that began as a peaceful demonstration spawned violent and destructive groups. Protestors have surged through downtown and damaged City Hall and police headquarters. They have set trash fires and smashed windows.
Officials are doing what they can to cease the violent protest. Meanwhile, protesters are fighting for their justice.
Hundreds of police in riot gear and armed with batons, pepper balls, and bean bag rounds fire off into the crowd that has grown to about 1,000 demonstrators of which include men, women and children.
By 2 a.m. Wednesday, the fourth day of violence, 24 people had been arrested. More than five injuries were reported, including a police officer and a child, none which are considered serious.
A video posted on YouTube shows police officers apprehending 25-year-old Manuel Diaz or “Stomper” on July 22, 2012. He was face down in the yard of an apartment complex with his hands behind his back. He had received two shots fired from a police officer’s gun, one of which hit him in the back of the head. Diaz was still alive but rather than contacting the ambulance after the apprehension, the police officers allegedly wasted time attempting to retrieve the video instead.
The reason and amount of times he was shot and when are being disputed amongst protestors and authorities. It was the spark which ignited the long-coming protest against excessive police brutality in Anaheim.
Diaz was eventually transported to the hospital after being padded down by the police and was pronounced dead at 7:00 p.m.
The count of personal injuries, amount of downtown businesses vandalized and patrol cars damaged continued to increase.
A police dog, found its way to a group of mostly women and children lying on a patch of grass. The dog allegedly clawed on a woman carrying an infant then went on to attack a man, biting down on his forearm until police were able to regain control of their canine.
Broadcast news videos show countless people bruised and welted on their backs and various sections of their body by bean bags and rubber bullets fired by the police.
The two officers involved in the shooting are on paid leave.
Have you or someone you know been injured on public streets? Contact us. Explain the situation to one of our personal injury lawyer who knows Anaheim law. We have been successful in what we do and have collected over millions of dollars for our clients who have been injured.