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Jehlani Jay Black

Age : 19

Gender : Male

Race : Black

Date : 03/09/2021

Location : Cranford Avenue and 7th Street; shooting in 1500 block of University Avenue

City : Riverside

County : Riverside

State : California

Agency : Riverside Police Department

Officer(s) :Officer Sergio Mercado

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during foot pursuit

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 03/09/2021, Riverside Police Department officers responded at approximately 4:39 p.m. to a report of people spray-painting gang graffiti near Iowa Avenue. Officers Gutierrez and Mutuku subsequently encountered a group of males in an alley near Cranford Avenue and 7th Street. Several ran when police approached. One was later identified as Jehlani Jay Black, 19.
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Officer Gutierrez pursued Black on foot south on Cranford Avenue. Police reported that Gutierrez saw Black carrying a handgun in his right hand. Black continued toward University Avenue and crossed the roadway while officers converged on the area.
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Officer Sergio Mercado encountered Black after he crossed University Avenue. Police alleged that Black was still armed. Mercado opened fire, striking Black. Officers rendered emergency medical aid, but Black died at the scene. Police reported recovering a handgun.
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The Riverside County Sheriff's Department Force Investigations Detail investigated the fatal shooting with participation from the Riverside County District Attorney's Office and Riverside Police Department investigators.
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The Riverside Community Police Review Commission later conducted an independent review. Its public report identified Mercado as the officer who shot Black and found his use of deadly force consistent with department policy. The official review also establishes that the GVA Cranford Avenue/7th Street entry and the Jehlani Black fatal shooting are the same case.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND:
Sergio Mercado was identified as the Riverside Police Department officer who shot Black. The Riverside Community Police Review Commission subsequently found his use of deadly force consistent with department policy.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.riversideca.gov/cityclerk/sites/riversideca.gov.cityclerk/files/pdf/oid/black/BLACK%20OID%20Public%20Report%20-%202024.pdf
https://riversideca.gov/cityclerk/sites/riversideca.gov.cityclerk/files/CPRC%20Jehlani%20Black%20canvass.pdf