Deadly Police Shooting In Santa Ana Draws Mexican Government's Attention
SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — Authorities are continuing their investigation into a police shooting in Santa Ana that left one man dead, while the Mexican government seeks answers in the killing.
As KCAL9's Michele Gile reports, Ernesto Canepa, a Mexican national, was killed Friday during a confrontation with police on West Third Street in Santa Ana. The 27-year-old had been wanted by authorities after being accused of robbery.
"Regardless of the background of the deceased, every case in which a Mexican national loses his life at the hands of police officers becomes immediately as a high-visibility case for the Mexican government," said Marco Antonio Fraire, a Mexican deputy consul.
Fraire on Thursday pointed out that Canepa, who officers said has a long criminal history, is the third Mexican citizen to be killed in three weeks across the United States by police.
"If there is some wrongdoing on behalf of any officer involved, we'll take the appropriate disciplinary action, and then, of course, this is being investigated by the Orange County District Attorney's Office from a criminal culpability standpoint," Santa Ana police Chief Carlos Rojas said.
Rojas said that when officers pulled over Canepa in his car, they suspected he was armed.
According to Rojas, there was some sort of a struggle and deadly force was used. A replica of a Colt 45 was recovered from the suspect's vehicle, police said.
