The family of Yang Yong, a 40-year-old Korean man fatally shot by Officer Andres Lopez of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), has filed a court petition seeking the disclosure of the officers’ disciplinary records. The request includes past records of excessive force and misconduct involving both Officer Lopez and Sergeant Araceli Rubalcava, who commanded the scene at the time of the shooting.
The petition was submitted on May 12 to the Los Angeles County Superior Court, where Judge Peter Hernandez is scheduled to hold a hearing on July 2.
Family Seeks Officers’ Disciplinary Records
Despite more than a year having passed since Yang’s death, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell has not taken any public steps to address the incident. Officer Lopez continues to serve at the Olympic Division without facing any disciplinary measures, drawing public attention to the family’s request to release the officers’ records.
The family’s legal team argued in the petition that both officers were aware of the department’s protocols for handling individuals with mental illness but failed to follow them. They asserted that any prior incidents of excessive force or misconduct could have directly and materially influenced the fatal shooting.
Records show that Officer Lopez was previously investigated by prosecutors following a March 23, 2021, shooting involving a mentally ill suspect. At that time, Lopez fired his weapon at an African American man holding a fake gun outside the Olympic Division. Following the incident, Lopez, who was then a Level III officer, was demoted to Level II.
Father Calls for Reforms as LAPD Remains Silent
On May 13, Yang Yong’s father, Dr. Yang Min, joined more than 80 families of police shooting victims in visiting the California State Assembly, where they urged lawmakers to pass legislation to improve police use-of-force protocols.
“The officer who shot my son was previously involved in a similar incident and was fully aware of LAPD’s internal procedures, yet chose to ignore them,” Dr. Yang stated. “We will continue this fight because these personnel records are crucial evidence to uncover the truth of the incident.”
Earlier, the Los Angeles Police Commission, which reviewed the shooting, saw two out of its five commissioners—Theresa Sanchez-Gordon and Maria Lou Calanche—conclude that Officer Lopez’s use of force was inappropriate. However, the LAPD has not provided any explanation or comments regarding which aspects of the officer’s actions were deemed improper.
Related Articles:
- LAPD Officer-Involved Shooting Ruled Justified Despite Violations
- LAPD Judged Itself – McDonnell, the Community Demands Answers
- LAPD Shooting: One Year After Korean American Killed Seeking Mental Health Care, No Reform
- “Every Day Is Regret and Pain” — Father of Yang Yong Demands LAPD Reform
BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
