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Jose Naranjo-Cortez

Gender : Male

Age : 46

Race : Latino/a/e

Date : 04/20/2025

Location : Lemon Park

City : Fullerton

County : Orange

State : California

Agency : Fullerton Police Department

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Asphyxiation

Event : Died in police custody after arrest

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Around 12:31 a.m., Fullerton Police officers encountered Naranjo-Cortez behaving erratically and holding a smoldering cardboard box in the park after hours. When officers attempted to detain him, he resisted and bit an officer on the arm. Multiple officers restrained him using force. Shortly after being placed in restraints, Naranjo-Cortez experienced a medical emergency. Paramedics transported him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Family's Perspective:

Family members have raised concerns about the use of force during the arrest. His sister, Mary Naranjo-Cortez, stated that officers "beat him and placed a bag over his head." She also mentioned that her brother suffered from schizophrenia and had been off his medication since becoming homeless in November.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-04-20/man-bit-orange-county-police
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/man-dies-in-fullerton-police-custody-after-biting-officer/3376819
https://www.ocregister.com/2025/04/20/man-dies-after-biting-fullerton-officer-and-being-restrained-at-lemon-park