Lorenzo Cesar Aguilar, 23

Azusa, California
November 30, 2013

Agencies: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department California LASD | Azusa Police Department California

Cause of death: Shooting


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Last updated: almost 6 years ago

Overview

Lorenzo Cesar Aguilar, a 23-year-old Latino man, was shot by an Asuza police officer Friday, Nov. 29, 2013, in the 700 block of East Alosta Avenue in Azusa, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

About 9:30 p.m., Azusa Police Department officers tried to pull over a person suspected of drunk driving, according to a news release from the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, which is assisting in the investigation.

The driver, later identified as Aguilar, didn’t stop the car, and “evaded officers for a brief time.” Officers were able to find the car again and the driver stopped.

Right after Aguilar pulled over, he exited the car, allegedly armed with a handgun and began to walk away from the officers. Aguilar allegedly “failed to comply with orders,” and turned toward the officers with the gun in hand, “at which time, the officer-involved shooting occurred.”

The bullets struck Aguilar several times in the torso but also hit the windows and walls of an apartment complex, located about 100 yards away.

Nearby neighbors were amazed no one inside the apartments was hurt.

 The family of the late Lorenzo Cesar Aguilar claim that police from Azusa, Irwindale, Covina and/or Glendora shot Aguilar to death without cause on Nov. 29, 2013.
     Estate representative Annette Aguilar claims that police shot Aguilar to death outside a restaurant in Azusa at about 9 p.m., though his armed were raised in surrender. He was 23.
     "Lorenzo was unarmed and in the process of returning home after purchasing his dinner at Santana's Restaurant. At no time was he ever a threat to any persons or entities," the complaint states.
     Aguilar was an Army veteran who served in Afghanistan and had no criminal history, according to the lawsuit. Police shot at him 35 times with "high-powered assault rifles," then prevented paramedics from helping him, the complaint states.

Legal Action

December 2014 Lawsuit filed