The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office has completed its review of a fatal officer-involved incident involving the Chino Police Department on November 4, 2018. This incident occurred in the city of Chino, involved the Chino Police Department, and was investigated by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
SYNOPSIS
On November 4, 2018, at about 5:56 pm, Jaime Holguin (Age 53 of Whittier) entered the Black Bear Diner located at 12325 Mountain Avenue, in the city of Chino.
Holguin’s behavior was erratic, and he was yelling nonsensical rants, which drew the restaurant’s staff and patrons’ attention. He was sweating and stumbling, and at one point, Holguin sat on a bench and banged his head on a wall. Restaurant employees told Holguin to stop, as he was hurting himself.
Holguin ran towards the kitchen area, where the restaurant employees stopped him. The employees held Holguin down on the ground while an employee called 911.
An officer with the Chino Police Department arrived and tried to control Holguin. Holguin flailed around, kicking his legs and swinging his arms around. The officer spoke in both English and Spanish to Holguin, telling him to relax. Restaurant patrons and employees watched and heard the officer attempting to get Holguin to calm down, by simply speaking with him.
The officer determined that Holguin could harm himself and others in the restaurant, and it was necessary to control Holguin. The officer tried to handcuff Holguin, but Holguin’s behavior and movements were so erratic, he was unable to do so by himself. With the assistance of an employee, the officer was eventually able to place handcuffs on Holguin.
The officer immediately recognized Holguin needed emergency medical care. The officer requested the fire department respond to the location.
Other police officers arrived and had to physically hold Holguin down as he continued to thrash his body around. Two officers placed their hands between Holguin’s head and the floor, to prevent Holguin from hitting his head and face on the floor and nearby shelving. The officers carried Holguin out of the restaurant. They placed him on some grass so that the firefighter-paramedics could render aid to Holguin.
Holguin was eventually placed on a gurney to be transported to a hospital. Holguin went into cardiac arrest and was placed in an ambulance and transported to Chino Valley Medical Center.
Despite life-saving efforts, Holguin was pronounced deceased on November 4, 2018, at 6:50 pm.
CONCLUSION
This incident was investigated by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. A review of the investigation, reports, evidence, and statements was completed by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.
Based on the facts presented in the reports and the applicable law, our office concluded there is no evidence to establish criminal liability on the part of any involved member of the Chino Police Department, for the death of Holguin.
WHAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD KNOW
By providing a thorough explanation to the community regarding the review of incidents where a death occurs when police officers use force, it is the intention of District Attorney Jason Anderson and the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office to maintain the community’s confidence and trust in its law enforcement officers and district attorney’s office.
KEY POINTS OF THIS INCIDENT
- Holguin entered a restaurant, acting erratically, sweating, and yelling nonsensical statements.
- Holguin banged his head on a wall, hurting himself.
- Holguin had to be restrained by restaurant employees to prevent him from harming himself, other employees, or restaurant patrons.
- Officers used the minimal amount of force to get Holguin to calm down, as witnessed by employees, patrons, and video surveillance recordings.
- Officers recognized Holguin needed immediate emergency medical care, which they summoned.
- An autopsy found Holguin’s cause of death was acute methamphetamine toxicity with cardiomegaly (enlarged heart) listed as a contributing factor.
When police officers respond to calls involving subjects acting erratically or the officers encounter those subjects on their own, their primary goal is to ensure the safety of those subjects, as well as their safety and the safety of the public.
In this case, the officers believed Holguin was under the influence of a substance that was having a severe effect on Holguin’s behavior.
The officers recognized Holguin needed immediate medical attention. They used their training and experience in an attempt to save Holguin’s life:
- The officers used the least amount of physical force on Holguin despite Holguin having extreme strength and an apparent lack of feeling pain
- The officers spoke calmly and reassuringly to Holguin in an attempt to calm him down
- The officers used their bodies to prevent Holguin from harming himself even further by cushioning his thrashing body; however, the officers never placed their body weight onto Holguin’s back or chest.
- The officers summoned paramedics to the scene within two minutes of their arrival
It should be noted that employees and patrons said the police officers acted professionally and that their use of force was appropriate.
The Officer-Involved Shooting Review Team
Although this incident did not involve the shooting of a firearm, the district attorney’s office’ “Officer-Involved Shooting Review Team” reviewed this incident.
Upon taking office, District Attorney Jason Anderson wanted a dedicated team of trained and experienced deputy district attorneys and investigators to review incidents such as these and respond to the scene.
The review unit did not respond to this incident as the design and development of the new team, and its protocols were still being developed.
Please visit SBCountyDA.org/ois to learn more about this team.
As the district attorney’s office, we realize the entire community is affected when a person loses their life, regardless of the situation or circumstances. It is our responsibility to ensure that all parties involved in cases such as the one involving Jaime Holguin acted lawfully.
NEWS COVERAGE
None observed at time of news release
DISTRICT ATTORNEY PUBLIC RELEASE MEMORANDUM
View San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Public Release Memorandum: James Holguin