A civil trial over the fatal LAPD shooting of Yang Yong, 40, has been scheduled for October 13, 2026, according to the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Yang’s parents, Yang Min and Yang Myungsook, filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department, City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and the Department of Mental Health (DMH). The complaint accuses the agencies of abuse of authority and systemic failures in handling mental-health crises. The family seeks accountability for their son’s death and institutional safeguards to prevent future cases.
Judge Peter A. Hernandez confirmed the first trial date roughly one year after the lawsuit was filed on September 24, 2024. “Even though the trial is a year away, it feels like the LAPD is still unprepared to treat victims and families properly,” Yang Min told The Korea Daily. “We will prove that the officers acted with excessive force and hope the department leadership recognizes the need for change.”
Court filings show that about 1,800 pages of case records and body-camera footage submitted by the defendants will remain confidential under a court-approved stipulation. Both sides agreed not to publicly release any materials during the proceedings, and the judge has signed off on that agreement.
The lawsuit names Officer Andres Lopez, who fired the shots; Sergeant Rubalcava, who supervised the scene; and DMH clinician Yoon Sootae, who first requested a police response. The complaint identifies three main failures: the mishandling of a mental-health call, the improper use of force, and broader institutional shortcomings at the city and county levels.
According to court documents, Officer Lopez had prior knowledge of Yang’s mental condition through a briefing with Sergeant Rubalcava, yet fired three rounds within five seconds after forcing entry, without attempting to use non-lethal options. The plaintiffs also claim Clinician Yoon failed to follow DMH policies and procedures, contributing to the fatal outcome.
In May last year, The Korea Daily filed a California Public Records Act (CPRA) request with the City of Los Angeles and LAPD to investigate the case. Attorney Jung Chanyong, who assisted with the request, said the LAPD “selectively released only general information while withholding critical details and sensitive conversations.” He added that the department appears to have taken similar steps in this civil trial to limit external disclosure.
“This case should not be seen as a personal tragedy,” Jung said. “It must serve as a moment for the Korean community to push for policy changes that prevent similar deaths.”
BY HYOUNGJAE KIM [kim.ian@koreadaily.com]
