ⓘThis article reports on a matter of public interest. Carrazco Law, A.P.C. is not representing any party involved in this incident unless expressly stated.
Zimran Canas Killed in Los Angeles Police Shooting in Boyle Heights
Zimran Canas: A family's 911 mental health call on Gillette Street ended with LAPD officers opening fire
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (September 7, 2026): Zimran Canas died on Labor Day morning after Los Angeles Police Department officers shot him outside his residence in the 600 block of Gillette Street in Boyle Heights, according to the LAPD. Police said officers were called at about 9:55 a.m. to a report of a violent man with mental illness armed with a metal pipe, and that a family member had called 911 and directed officers to him, ABC7 reported. According to the LAPD account released the next day, Canas came out of a front gate holding an approximately 8-foot pole with a 12-inch serrated blade attached, described as a pole saw, did not comply with commands to drop it and advanced toward an officer with the blade pointed at him, and at least one officer fired.
LAPD said officers rendered medical aid before Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics arrived, and Canas was pronounced dead at a hospital, MyNewsLA reported. The pole and blade were booked as evidence. His age has not been released. ABC7 reported that the investigation will include any body-worn video and that the LAPD Force Investigation Division and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office will review the shooting; the Board of Police Commissioners and the Inspector General also review LAPD uses of deadly force. LAPD told The Eastsider the investigation was in its early stages with multiple witnesses to interview. No family or community statements had been reported as of September 8.
Liability for Los Angeles County Police Shootings
The Fourth Amendment prohibits unreasonable seizures, and Graham v. Connor (1989) 490 U.S. 386 measures force against what a reasonable officer would do. California Penal Code § 835a permits deadly force only when necessary to defend against an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury. 42 U.S.C. § 1983 allows claims against the officers and, under Monell v. Department of Social Services (1978) 436 U.S. 658, against the City of Los Angeles for a policy or training failure. The Bane Act, California Civil Code § 52.1, adds a state claim.
Mental health response: whether LAPD sent its Mental Evaluation Unit or crisis-trained officers to a call that reported mental illness, and whether dispatchers relayed that information.
Time and distance: investigators will measure where Canas and the officer stood when the shots were fired and how much room officers had to back away.
Less-lethal options: whether officers had a beanbag shotgun, a Taser or a 40-millimeter launcher on scene and whether they attempted to use them.
Number of officers firing: LAPD said at least one officer fired; the exact number of shots and shooters will be in the Force Investigation Division report.
The family's claims are excessive force, wrongful death and the Bane Act, with damages for loss of companionship and support, funeral costs, and, through a survival claim, the pain Canas suffered before death. Section 1983 adds punitive damages against individual officers and attorney's fees.
Steps to Take After a Los Angeles County Police Shooting
According to the Los Angeles Police Department's own annual use-of-force reports, a substantial share of the people involved in LAPD officer-involved shootings each year were perceived to be experiencing a mental health crisis.
Preserve the 911 recording: the family member's call and the dispatch broadcast show what officers knew before arriving on Gillette Street; request them under the California Public Records Act.
Identify neighbors with video: homes and businesses between Bridge Street and Prospect Park may have doorbell or security cameras that captured the gate and the street.
Request body camera footage: LAPD policy releases critical incident video within 45 days; Penal Code § 832.7 also makes it a public record.
Consult an attorney before interviews: Force Investigation Division detectives will interview the family; relatives may have counsel present.
Attend the Police Commission review: the Board of Police Commissioners and the Inspector General publish findings on tactics and the decision to fire; the family can attend and comment.
Civil rights and wrongful death claims in California generally must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Because the City of Los Angeles is a public entity, a government claim must be presented within six months under Government Code § 911.2. Contact an attorney promptly to protect your rights.
Investigating Los Angeles County Police Shootings
We at Carrazco Law, A.P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of Zimran Canas. Did officers know they were responding to a mental health crisis, and did they use the available time and distance to de-escalate before firing? Were less-lethal tools on scene, and were they attempted before deadly force?
Do you have questions about a Los Angeles County police shooting? Our team is here for you. Call us anytime at (800) 541-3244. Se Habla Español. Free consultation.
Legal Context
Applicable California Law
Fourth Amendment: Protection against unreasonable seizures, including excessive force, as applied in Graham v. Connor (1989) 490 U.S. 386
California Penal Code § 835a: Deadly force permitted only when necessary to defend against an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury
42 U.S.C. § 1983: Federal civil rights claim against the officers and, under Monell v. Department of Social Services (1978) 436 U.S. 658, the City of Los Angeles
California Civil Code § 52.1 (Bane Act): State civil rights claim for interference with constitutional rights by threats, intimidation or coercion
Government Code § 911.2: Six month deadline to present a government claim against the City of Los Angeles
Liability Analysis
LAPD says Canas emerged from a gate with an 8-foot pole fitted with a serrated blade, ignored commands and advanced on an officer before at least one officer fired; the family had called 911 for help with a mental health crisis. Liability under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and Penal Code § 835a will turn on whether officers knew they were responding to a mental health call, whether they used available time, distance and less-lethal tools, and what the body-worn video shows about the moment of the shots. If de-escalation was feasible and not attempted, the officers and the City of Los Angeles could face excessive force, Bane Act and wrongful death claims. The Force Investigation Division and District Attorney reviews are ongoing and nothing has been determined.
Statute of Limitations
Civil rights and wrongful death claims in California generally must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Because the City of Los Angeles is a public entity, a government claim under Government Code § 911.2 must be presented within six months of the shooting before state law claims can be filed.
If You've Been Affected by a Similar Incident
Carrazco Law represents individuals and families affected by police shootings and officer-involved incidents across California. These cases involve complex federal and state laws including 42 U.S.C. §1983 (federal civil rights claims), Bane Act claims under California Civil Code §52.1, and government tort claims with strict deadlines (often six months from the date of incident under the California Government Claims Act). If you or a loved one has been affected by a similar incident, contact our office for a free, confidential consultation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who reviews an LAPD officer-involved shooting like the one in Boyle Heights?
Every LAPD shooting is investigated by the Force Investigation Division, reviewed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for possible criminal charges, and evaluated by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and the civilian Board of Police Commissioners, which decides whether the tactics and the decision to fire were within policy. According to ABC7, the review of the Gillette Street shooting will include any body-worn video. These reviews do not replace the family's own civil investigation.
The family called 911 for help. Does that affect a wrongful death claim?
No, it does not bar a claim. Families call 911 expecting a safe response to a mental health crisis, and California Penal Code § 835a requires officers to consider the totality of the circumstances, including whether the person was in crisis, and to use de-escalation when feasible. The 911 recording and dispatch log show what officers knew before arriving. If a crisis response was available and not used, that supports the family's case.
How long does LAPD take to release body camera footage of a shooting?
LAPD's critical incident video release policy calls for releasing edited body-worn and other video within 45 days of an officer-involved shooting, with limited exceptions. Separately, Penal Code § 832.7 makes records of shootings public, and the California Public Records Act allows the family to request the unedited footage, dispatch audio and reports. An attorney can also demand that all recordings be preserved immediately.
Can the City of Los Angeles itself be held liable for a police shooting?
Yes, in two ways. Under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and Monell v. Department of Social Services, the city is liable when an official policy, custom, or failure to train or supervise caused the constitutional violation. Under California law, the city is generally responsible for wrongful death and Bane Act damages caused by its officers acting within the scope of their duties, provided a government claim is presented within six months under Government Code § 911.2.
What compensation is available to the family of someone killed in a Los Angeles County police shooting?
A wrongful death claim compensates heirs for the loss of the person's love, companionship, guidance and financial support, plus funeral and burial expenses. A survival claim, brought on behalf of the estate, recovers for the pain and suffering the person consciously experienced before death. Federal civil rights claims add the possibility of punitive damages against individual officers and payment of the family's attorney's fees if they prevail.
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This article is published by Carrazco Law News for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading or sharing this content does not create an attorney-client relationship with Carrazco Law, A.P.C. Carrazco Law is not representing any party involved in the incident described above. If you have been affected by a similar incident, consult a licensed California attorney about your specific situation.
The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship with Carrazco Law, A.P.C. If you have been injured or have lost a loved one, please contact our office directly for a confidential consultation.
