The family of a Rancho Cucamonga man who died during an encounter with San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies has filed a lawsuit against the city and the Sheriff’s Department. They allege that the deputies used excessive force, leading to the wrongful death of Mohd F. Hijaz, 32.
The incident took place in the early hours of March 19, 2024. Deputies responded to a call about a person acting erratically. According to the family’s complaint, Hijaz was sitting on a curb, unarmed, and talking to a passerby who had offered him water.
The Sheriff’s Department reported that when the deputies arrived, they tried to keep Hijaz at a distance. However, he approached them despite their commands. The deputies then used tasers on him multiple times, according to the lawsuit.
As more deputies arrived, they attempted to detain Hijaz. The department claims he struck one of the deputies in the face. The lawsuit alleges that the deputies responded with excessive force, hitting Hijaz with batons and slamming his head onto the pavement. Hijaz suffered serious injuries, went into cardiac arrest, and was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Los Angeles by Hijaz’s mother, widow, and young child. They argue that he was experiencing a mental health crisis and was not committing any crime at the time. The family believes there was no justification for the force used against him.
The city of Rancho Cucamonga has declined to comment on the lawsuit. A spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Department said they had no further information beyond the initial news release issued shortly after Hijaz’s death.
The family’s attorney, Sa’id Vakili, noted that they have not received the autopsy report or any video footage from the deputies’ body cameras, which they believe would clarify the events of that night. He expressed concern about the delay in obtaining this information, stating it is unusual for such materials to be withheld for over a year.
The family’s complaint highlights that Hijaz had no history of violence prior to this incident and emphasizes the need for appropriate responses to individuals in mental health crises. The case raises important questions about police practices and the treatment of individuals experiencing mental distress.