Oxnard police takes steps toward change after mistaken identity shooting

OXNARD, Calif. (KABC) -- Oxnard police say they're making some changes following a deadly officer-involved shooting that they call a case of mistaken identity.

Family members of Alfonso Limon Jr. previously reached a $6.7 million settlement with the city. That settlement included establishing a day of commemoration for Limon, who was mistakenly shot to death by police in 2012.

At a press conference on Tuesday, police and city officials announced steps they're taking to try to bridge the relationship with the community.

At the event, Oxnard Police Department Chief Jeri Williams announced that Oct. 13 will now be known as "Community Safety and Anti-Violence Day" in honor of the 21-year-old.

"We are committed to healing process through the open and effective dialogue and lastly it is my hope, it is our hope, that by all of us working together, in Alfonso Limon Jr.'s memory that we will achieve that goal," Williams said.

City officials also invited community involvement and discussion and said they're working to implement body cameras on police officers.

Also, a memorial plaque will be going up in Limon's honor. But Limon's family says nothing will ever be enough.

"I don't think there's ever going to be anything that's going to make a difference for us. There hasn't been any real accountability," said Rebecca Limon, Limon's sister. "You heard that the district attorney didn't go with charging these officers, and it's tough to hear because we lost our loved one."

Community activists held their own press conference afterward, saying the officers on the street are poorly trained and not held accountable. Citing other officer-involved shootings in Oxnard, they're calling for a citizen's oversight committee.

"We've always been advocates of entering and engaging in discussions with our community to make the city safe. That being said, I don't believe we need civilian oversight in the Oxnard Police Department. The community and the City Council are our true oversight," Williams said.

Limon's sister said cameras are a good first step, but she said much more is needed to solve the problem.

"You've seen in other cases, where they do have body-worn cameras in other police departments, and the evidence magically disappears or the video stopped recording," she said. "So we do need something to monitor those body cameras as well."

The officers involved in Limon's shooting were placed on paid administrative leave. All but one officer, who is retired, is back at work at the Oxnard Police Department.