The California Department of Justice has released its report on the officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of Jay Jackson in Moreno Valley on July 22, 2022. The investigation was conducted under Assembly Bill 1506, which requires the state to review all incidents where an unarmed civilian is killed by law enforcement.
According to the report, Jay Jackson entered an O’Reilly Auto Parts store and told employees he was armed and intended to kill someone. Employees locked the doors and called 911. When deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department arrived, they found Jackson pacing outside with his hand in his pocket. Deputies attempted to de-escalate the situation by issuing commands for him to show his hands and offering access to mental health services. Jackson did not comply, reportedly telling deputies he had a gun and making statements such as “just kill me” and “I’m not going to listen.” He then advanced toward a deputy while pulling out a shiny metallic object from his pocket in a threatening manner. A deputy fired one shotgun round, striking Jackson, who later died at the hospital. The object was determined to be a metallic razor handle without a blade.
Attorney General Rob Bonta stated: “This was a tragic situation with a tragic outcome. I sincerely hope this report provides valuable insights and information to the community. The California Department of Justice aims to partner with law enforcement to build a just and equitable legal environment, ensuring that the rule of law is upheld, and justice is accessible to everyone. Together, we aim to foster a system that not only protects the rights of individuals but also promotes trust and accountability between law enforcement and our communities.”
The DOJ concluded there was insufficient evidence to support criminal charges against the deputy involved. The findings indicate that it could not be proven beyond reasonable doubt that the deputy acted without intent to defend himself or others from what he believed was an imminent threat.
As part of its review, DOJ issued five policy recommendations for RCSD: revising use-of-force policies to require de-escalation techniques when feasible; updating procedures for unified communication during critical incidents; adopting standardized shotgun loading policies; providing refresher training on body-worn camera protocols; and evaluating digital in-car video systems for patrol units.
A full copy of the report is available online.
