The family of a man shot to death by a San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy in a confrontation in Redlands that was recorded on a cell phone camera sued the county for wrongful death on Thursday, July 24.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Riverside by civil rights attorney Dale K. Galipo, seeks $30 million as well as punitive damages and reimbursement for funeral expenses and attorney’s fees. The lawsuit was filed after the county Board of Supervisors rejected the family’s claim for $30 million in the death of Jefte Vargas Ramirez, 37.
The plaintiffs are Ramirez’s parents, his two children and their mother.
The video shows the deputy pointing his gun at Ramirez as he speaks with him next to the railroad tracks west of California Street on Dec. 16, 2024. Ramirez then stretches his arms to his sides and moves toward the deputy. The deputy shoots Ramirez and continues firing as Ramirez turns away and then runs a few steps.
The deputy appears to fire about nine times. He stops shooting when Ramirez falls.
Warning: This video contains graphic content.
Galipo, in an interview Friday, said he believes that the shooting was not justified.
“In order to use deadly force, a person has to have the ability, opportunity and the intent to immediately cause death or serious bodily injury,” Galipo said. “When you see someone with their arms out, it’s hard to understand how this officer in his mind thought it was appropriate to shoot.”
The Sheriff’s Department, in a news release at the time, said Ramirez had been trespassing on the tracks, refused to leave and held rocks in both hands when he “approached the deputy in an aggressive manner.” The state Department of Justice, which investigates fatal police shootings of unarmed civilians, is not investigating this confrontation.
“Any loss of life is tragic and impacts everyone involved — including the family, the community, and our deputy who responded to the call for service,” the Sheriff’s Department said Friday in a written statement. “We believe our deputy acted appropriately. While we cannot comment further due to pending legal proceedings, we welcome the opportunity to present the facts in court.
Galipo disputed the assertion that Ramirez approached aggressively. The attorney said he has not yet received the deputy’s uniform-mounted camera video or his name.
Family members said Ramirez, a Redlands resident, was a tradesman who enjoyed cooking and working on cars. He had driven a daughter to school that morning before taking off on one of his frequent walks.
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