The first occurred in Newport. The other just hours later in Anaheim. In what may be an unprecedented occurrence in the county, Orange County experienced two officer-involved shootings in less than 6 hours.
The Newport Beach Daily Pilot reports that police responded when neighbors alerted them that a man was firing shots into the air outside of his home on the night of July 12 around 9:45 PM. A month earlier the man was detained by police due to mental health concerns but was soon released. He now remains in the hospital recovering from his wounds and will likely spend a considerable amount of time in recovery and, potentially, in police custody. Though details are still emerging in the case, mental health issues may play a significant role in the suspect's eventual trial.
The shooting in Anaheim occurred during a traffic stop around 1:00 AM. The Orange County Register reports that the officer who stopped the driver suspected he had a handgun and, while attempting to apprehend the man, the officer shot the suspect. The wound is not life threatening. Whether or not the suspect had a gun is still being investigated.
In both of these cases, the police used their ultimate power in defense of the law. At least, that may be the first-impression. If the police did use this potentially deadly force to ensure the peace, they should be lauded for their efforts. However, if they acted negligently in any way or if the rights of the injured victims were violated in any way, the truth must be revealed. The community depends on such truth.