2 ex-Whittier police detectives arraigned in shooting that left unarmed man paralyzed
WHITTIER, Calif. (KABC) -- Two former Whittier police detectives were arraigned Monday in connection with a 2020 shooting that left an unarmed man paralyzed.
The defendants, Cynthia Lopez and Salvador Murrillo, appeared in court with their attorneys.
The case stems from an incident that began shortly after 11:30 a.m. on April 30, 2020, when the undercover detectives spotted a vehicle that may have been used in a robbery at a Walmart several weeks earlier, authorities said.
The detectives "subsequently saw the suspect's vehicle traveling southbound through an alley on the 7700 block of Comstock Avenue," according to a news release from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
"The suspect's vehicle came to a sudden stop, immediately reversed, and rammed into the undercover vehicle when an officer-involved shooting ensued," the statement said.
According to prosecutors, Lopez allegedly fired into the rear windshield while Nicholas Carrillo was seated in the driver's seat and then fired two more shots at Carrillo, missing him as he ran away.
Murillo and Lopez chased Carrillo on foot, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office said, and as the suspect climbed over a 6-foot fence, Murillo allegedly fired more shots, striking Carrillo twice in the back.
"One shot severed his spine and immediately rendered him paralyzed from the waist down," the D.A.'s office said in a statement. "He was unarmed and no weapon was recovered inside the vehicle."
The wounded Carrillo was then taken into custody..
Murrillo and Lopez were not injured.
"The decision by these two detectives to use deadly force on someone who was unarmed and fleeing is inexcusable," D.A. George Gascón said in a statement April 12, when the charges were announced. "Police are afforded great power and with that power comes great responsibility. Human life is precious and you should never use lethal force unless it's necessary in defense of human life. Thankfully, Mr. Carrillo survived but his life is forever changed as a result of the actions of these officers."
Lopez was charged with two felony counts of assault under the color of authority and one felony count each of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and shooting at an occupied vehicle.
Murillo was charged with two felony counts each of assault with a semiautomatic firearm causing great bodily injury and assault under the color of authority causing great bodily injury.
