Danville Officer-Involved Shooting: Coroner's Jury Report

DANVILLE, CA — There was never really any doubt how 33-year-old Laudemer Atienza Arboleda of Newark died on November 3, 2018. A finding by a Contra Costa County Coroner's Jury, however, has made it official: His death was at the hands of another person, it was announced Tuesday.

The finding was part of a Coroner's Inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner David O. Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving peace officers. The process involves a public hearing, during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death.

Arboleda was killed in an officer-involved shooting in Danville: Contra Costa County Sheriff's Deputy Andrew Hall fired his weapon several times at Arboleda as he drove toward Hall, according to Jimmy Lee, a spokesman for the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office.

The Town of Danville contracts with the sheriff's office to provide police services.

The incident began about 11 a.m. on Nov. 3, when Danville police were notified of a suspicious person near Cottage Lane and Laurel Drive, next to Interstate Highway 680 near downtown. The citizen reported seeing a man exit his vehicle, walk toward several homes in that area with bags in his hands, go back to his car and circle the neighborhood.

Officers soon found the man, identified as Arboleda, who ignored officers' commands to stop, according to investigators. Arboleda fled in his car, leading officers on a short pursuit, pulling over twice during that time in what officers thought may be Arboleda's surrender.

Instead, Arboleda drove a few blocks further to the intersection of Front Street and Diablo Road, turned and accelerated toward Officer Hall, Lee said. Hall fired several shots at Arboleda, who was struck at least once. Arboleda was taken to the San Ramon Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

Arboleda's family filed a claim against the Town of Danville and the county, alleging the fatal shooting was based on race. Arboleda was Filipino.

The sheriff's office denied the allegation from the start.

"This is not about race. This is about a dangerous and reckless person trying to run down and murder a police officer. Once all investigations are completed, we look forward to sharing the full details with the public," Livingston said in the weeks following the shooting.