Prosecutors in California have declined to file any criminal charges against two police officers in connection with the August 2018 shooting death of actress Vanessa Marquez.
In a memo given to Los Angeles and South Pasadena police, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said they determined that South Pasadena Officers Gilberto Carrillo and Christopher Perez acted legally when they fired 12 rounds at Marquez, 49. The officers reportedly shot and killed the “E.R.” actress after she brandished a replica gun during a welfare check.
“In this incident, the evidence demonstrates that Carrillo and Perez actually and reasonably believed Marquez posed an imminent threat of great bodily injury or death,” head deputy district attorney Shannon Presby wrote in the memo.
***WARNING: The following video depicts an officer-related shooting and could be disturbing to some viewers. Please use discretion.***
According to TMZ, Marquez told responding officers that she had a seizure but refused to go to the hospital. Marquez spoke with a mental health professional. Afterward, officers informed her that they were placing her on a 5150 psychiatric hold as they deemed her a danger to herself and others.
Marquez reportedly became uncooperative and reached for a pair of scissors and a gun. The two officers then drew their weapons and ordered Marquez to drop her gun but she refused and hollered “Kill me,” the tabloid reported.
Officers reportedly fired the fatal shots after Marquez went downstairs with the gun and pointed in their direction. Upon recovering the weapon, they learned it was a BB gun that resembled a pistol, according to The Los Angeles Times
Marquez’s family has filed a $20 million wrongful death lawsuit against the city of South Pasadena. The status of the litigation was unclear as of Monday.
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[Featured image: South Pasadena Police Department]
