(L.A.) Daniel Rivera, 37, Died in a Wash
Case Number: 2020-07408
Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 37-year-old Hispanic male that occurred in a wash.
The coroner’s office has identified the man as Daniel Rivera, residetn of Vena Avenue in Arleta 91331.
Manner of Death: Homicide
Cause of Death A: Cardiopulmonary Arrest
Cause of Death B: Following Prone Physical Restraint with Electromuscular Disruption and Methamphetamine Intoxication
Other Significant Condition: Hypertrophic Cardiovascular Disease
RIP DANIEL RIVERA (January 13, 1983 – August 14, 2020)
Formal pronouncement of death was made on Friday at 6:50 p.m.
Incident Location:
East of 13462 Wingo Street, Arleta, CA 91331
The decedent was an unarmed burglary suspect who had already surrendered but was repeatedly shocked with a Taser by LAPD officers, who then stood by without rendering aid when he went into cardiac arrest. They have been sued for excessive force.
The LAPD officers are Bret Beckstrom, Michael Lopez, Tyler Moser and Angel Romero.
None of the officers at the scene adhered to LAPD policy, which mandates specific measures to prevent positional asphyxiation.
Rivera was allegedly seen by witnesses as trespassing on their property and apparently talking to himself before scaling a chain-link fence and dropping down into a reservoir.
Upon arrival, three LAPD officers jumped on top of him, with one applying his full body weight by kneeling on his back, while two others handcuffed him. A fourth officer shocked Rivera four times with a Taser, causing his body to convulse and tense up. Police body camera video appears to show an officer grab the back of Rivera’s neck and shove his face into the ground.
When Rivera called out for help, saying he did not hurt anyone, an officer pinned him down so his legs could be hobbled, an event also captured on body camera video.
The pigs continued to push on Rivera’s back while he was face-down on his stomach and did nothing to help him as Rivera’s body convulsed in medical distress.
The officers “kept the unresisting Rivera pushed down in a prone position, known to interfere with breathing, after he was handcuffed and hobbled,” according to the family’s attorney.