Errol Chang, a 34-year-old resident of Pacifica, California, died on March 18, 2014, following a confrontation with law enforcement. The incident began when Chang's family called the police, reporting that he was displaying signs of paranoia and was possibly armed with an axe. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Chang in the backyard of his home. He brandished the axe at the officers and subsequently barricaded himself inside the house. The situation escalated as officers learned that Chang might have access to a rifle and ammunition, prompting the evacuation of nearby homes and the involvement of the SWAT team.
After several hours of attempting to communicate with Chang without success, the SWAT team decided to enter the home. Upon entry, Chang, armed with a knife, stabbed one of the SWAT officers. In response, the officers fired at Chang, resulting in his death. The officer who was stabbed was transported to a hospital and survived the incident. Chang's death was later ruled a justifiable homicide by the San Mateo County District Attorney, who stated that the use of lethal force was necessary to save the life of the injured officer.
Chang had a history of mental health issues, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, which were documented during a previous legal case involving him and his father. In 2010, Chang and his father were co-defendants in a medical marijuana case in San Francisco, where they were acquitted of illegal marijuana cultivation on the grounds that the marijuana was for medical purposes. Chang's mental health struggles were highlighted during this trial, and his erratic behavior leading up to the standoff was consistent with his documented conditions.
The incident sparked discussions about the handling of individuals with mental health issues by law enforcement. Critics argued that the situation could have been de-escalated without resorting to lethal force, while others maintained that the officers acted appropriately given the immediate threat to their safety. The case was investigated by the Pacifica and Daly City police departments, as well as the San Mateo County District Attorney's office, which ultimately concluded that the officers' actions were justified.
