UPDATE: Gilroy Police not charged in death of man tazed last year
UPDATE 2/22/2019 11:00 p.m. A new development into the deadly incident where Gilroy Police Officers tazed a man who later died in 2018.
Steven Juarez, 42, was under the influence of meth and was resisting arrest.
The Santa Clara County District attorney now says the officers involved lawfully used force and will not be charged.
The DA’s office says Juarez died from severe drug intoxication complicated by his exertion to escape arrest and the police officers’ numerous less-lethal efforts to detain him.
According to a GoFundMe page, Juarez leaves behind five sons.
PREVIOUS STORY 2/26/2018: The Santa Clara County Coroner’s Office is investigating how a 42-year-old Gilroy man died following a short foot pursuit with Gilroy Police.
On February 25, officers responded to the 7400 block of Chestnut street around 10 p.m. on reports of a man being in someones backyard. When officers arrived the suspect took off running.
Gilroy Police said, “Officers used verbal commands directing the subject to surrender and again he fled and made his way onto the roof of at least two nearby residences.”
According to Gilroy PD, officers noticed the suspect had been bleeding from his face and a witness reported hearing what sounded like someone falling before officers reached him.
“Officers located him on the ground and they began to attempt to take him into custody. The male adult acted violently and resisted their efforts and made threatening statements. Officers used less lethal force options to try to control him and get him into custody, including an electronic control device (Taser), physical force and a carotid restraint. At some point during the struggle, the officers on scene noted the male adult was in medical distress and officers initiated life saving measures. ” said Gilroy PD.
Gilroy Fire also attempted life-saving efforts, but the suspect died at an area trauma center.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the Investigations Bureau at 408-846-0350.
