The Fullerton Police Department has announced a Critical Incident Community Briefing regarding an in-custody death that occurred on April 20, 2025. The incident involves an adult male who died following a confrontation with officers at Lemon Park, situated at 701 S. Lemon St.

At approximately 12:31 AM, officers encountered the man, who was allegedly in the park after hours and holding a smoldering cardboard box. Upon contact, he reportedly exhibited erratic behavior and became uncooperative. As officers attempted to subdue him, the situation escalated into a physical struggle, during which the suspect allegedly bit one officer, causing injuries.

Emergency services were called to the scene, with paramedics from the Fullerton Fire Department attending to both the suspect and the injured officer. While treatment was being administered, the man began to show signs of a medical emergency and was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital. Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

In response to the incident, the Fullerton Police Department is set to release a Community Briefing video that will include Body Worn Camera (BWC) footage, still photographs, and police radio communications. This effort aims to provide clarity to the community concerning the incident.

The department urged caution, noting that initial findings may evolve as further evidence is collected and reviewed. They stressed that no conclusions regarding the actions of the officers will be drawn until a thorough investigation is completed by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

In accordance with California Assembly Bill 748, the Fullerton Police Department is required to release relevant video or audio footage related to the incident within 45 days. They underscored that, while body camera footage is a valuable investigative tool, it does not always present a complete picture of the events, and context is crucial for proper understanding.

As the community awaits the upcoming briefing, officials have advised that the imagery may be graphic and viewer discretion is strongly recommended. Further information is expected to be released as the investigation progresses.

The Critical Incident Community Briefing, which is roughly 30 minutes in length, can be found by clicking the link below:

https://youtu.be/xjMnhBz3a2o