Sean Monterrosa (2020)

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Overview

On June 2, 2020, the Vallejo California Police Department responded to multiple reports of looting during a protest over police violence.[1]

Officer Jarrett Tonn was in the backseat of an unmarked police pickup truck that arrived at a local business that was being looted. Tonn believed that Monterrosa was reaching for a gun and fired a rifle at Monterrosa though the vehicle's windshield, killing him.[1]

About June 4, 2020, the Chief discontinued an internal investigation, as an outside organization would be retained to investigate.[2]

On June 24, 2020, the California Attorney General declined to investigate the shooting, as it would typically be handled by local authorities.[3]

On July 2, 2020, the county District Attorney recused her office from the investigation and asked for the state Attorney General to conduct an independent review.[4]

On July 27, 2020, it was reported that Tonn had returned to duty.[5]

On August 6, 2020, Monterrosa's family filed a lawsuit against Tonn and the city of Vallejo, accusing the Vallejo Police Department of tampering with evidence and acting negligently by not reprimanding or re-training Tonn after prior incidents.[6][7]

On May 30, 2021, the California Attorney General's office took over the investigation.[8]

On June 1, 2021, an independent investigator found the shooting to "not be objectively reasonable" and that it was based on bad tactics. The report also stated that Tonn violated department policy.[9][10]

On June 17, 2021, Tonn was placed on administrative leave.[2]

On May 10, 2022, a report was issued from an internal pre-disciplinary "Skelly" hearing. The officer in charge of the review determined that Tonn had acted "based on a generalized fear", but had not violated the department's use of force policy and should not be fired.[2]

On October 3, 2022, Tonn was fired for using unreasonable force.[11]

On October 4, 2023, Tonn appealed his termination.[2]

On August 18, 2023, an arbitrator found the shooting to be "reasonable under the circumstances", overturned Tonn's termination, and reinstated Tonn to duty.[12][2]

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Officers Involved


Official Reports

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