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Leonel Chavez

Gender : Male

Age : 24

Race : Latino/a/e

Date : 09/28/2021

Location : Medford Street and Indiana Street

City : Los Angeles

County : Los Angeles

State : California

Agency : California Highway Patrol; Officer Daniel Castaneda

Officer(s) :

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during traffic collision response

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

California Highway Patrol officers alleged that Chavez "exhibited behavior leading them to use a stun gun," not further explaining the behavior. Chavez reportedly moved toward the officers. Officer Daniel Castaneda opened fire, killing Chavez. Chavez had been unarmed.
Investigation:
The California Department of Justice (DOJ) conducted an investigation as required by Assembly Bill 1506 for officer-involved shootings of unarmed civilians. The DOJ report, released in May 2023, confirmed that Chavez had been unarmed when killed.

SOURCE LINKS :

• https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/california-department-justice-releases-report-officer-involved-shooting-leonel
• https://openpayrolls.com/employee/daniel-s-castaneda-9571
• https://www.foxla.com/news/el-sereno-shooting-attorney-releases-video-leonel-chavez
• https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/ca-doj-refuses-to-charge-chp-officers-that-shot-and-killed-unarmed-man-in-el-sereno/
• https://fightbacknews.org/articles/los-angeles-family-holds-protest-1-year-after-california-highway-patrol-killed-beloved-leo