On April 23, 2015, Hector Morejon, a 19-year-old, was fatally shot by a Long Beach police officer in an empty apartment in Cambodia Town, Long Beach, California. The officer, Jeffrey Meyer, responded to a report of trespassing at the vacant unit. Meyer approached the building, peered through a window, and saw Morejon standing inside. According to Meyer's report, Morejon turned and assumed what the officer perceived as a "firing stance," prompting Meyer to fire his weapon once.
Morejon was shot in the back, which was confirmed by autopsy results. The police did not find any weapons at the scene.
This incident quickly drew community outrage and demands for justice from Morejon's family and local activists. Family and supporters held vigils and protests, calling attention to the circumstances of Morejon's death and questioning the officer's decision to shoot without issuing any verbal warnings. Morejon’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit, which was later settled by the city for $1.5 million. Community members highlighted this case as emblematic of broader issues of excessive force and police violence, particularly in neighborhoods with predominantly minority residents like Cambodia Town.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office initially decided not to press charges against Officer Meyer, citing insufficient evidence of criminal intent. However, in 2020, newly elected District Attorney George Gascón announced plans to reopen the case, pointing to inconsistencies between the officer's statements and physical evidence from the scene. Specifically, Gascón cited concerns that Morejon was shot in the back, contradicting the officer's claim that Morejon had faced him and taken a firing stance. The case remains a significant point of contention in discussions about police accountability in Los Angeles County and has galvanized support for law enforcement reform in the area.
