Family Alleges Police Were 'Trigger Happy' in Fatal Shooting of Santa Ana Teen

The family of Jaden Michaca, a 15-year-old boy with a history of mental health issues, has filed a legal claim against the city of Santa Ana, alleging that police officers were "trigger happy" and failed to de-escalate the situation before fatally shooting him on June 14. The claim, announced during a press conference on Tuesday, June 23, outside the Santa Ana Police Station, accuses two officers of neglect and excessive force.

According to the family's attorneys, Luis A. Carrillo, Michael Carrillo, and Dominique Boubion, the officers never attempted to de-escalate the encounter despite being aware of Jaden's mental health condition.

"They killed a 15-year-old child, they blasted him to kingdom come," said Luis A. Carrillo.

"Unfortunately, I have to say it that way because that is what happened. In my opinion, these officers were trigger-happy cops."

Jaden's mother, Maribel Michaca, said her son was diagnosed as bipolar and had been struggling with his mental health for two years. The family had called law enforcement at least 10 times previously, and officers aided by mental health workers had de-escalated situations and gotten him treatment.

On June 13, the mother called 911 again, as instructed by prior responders, to report that Jaden was having a mental health emergency.

Before police arrived, Maribel Michaca said her boyfriend had tried to take a knife away from Jaden and accidentally got cut. She acknowledged that Jaden was holding a knife but denied that he was a threat to her or the officers.

She also denied that police ordered her son to drop the knife and that he ignored them. "I yelled to the cops, 'Please do not shoot!

Please do not shoot! My son is having a mental-health crisis!

Taze him, but do not shoot!' I was standing next to him and they did not care. Everything happened in the blink of an eye," she said.

During the press conference, she wore a splint on her right thumb, which she said was shattered by police gunfire.

Attorney Dominique Boubion described the fatal shooting as "100 percent preventable." "There is no reason two officers should come to a home—called to help—and just open the door and start shooting. It is totally unacceptable," Boubion said.

The Santa Ana Police Department has provided a different account. Spokesperson Officer Natalie Garcia said the mother's boyfriend called 911 and reported that Jaden was under the influence, vandalizing property, and had stabbed him with a knife.

Officers arriving at the apartment heard an argument between Jaden and his mother, Garcia said, and forced open the door. They made contact with Jaden, who remained armed with a knife, and gave him commands to put it down, but he refused, leading to the shooting.

Garcia denied that officers were responding to a request for mental health services, as the family claimed. The police investigation is ongoing, and limited details have been released.

The officers were wearing body cameras, and video of the shooting is expected to be released publicly at some point.

Family members described Jaden as always willing to help others and loved collecting Pokemon. The claim, filed against the city of Santa Ana, is a prerequisite to filing a lawsuit.