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<\/a>Campos Rio died after being struck by a less-lethal bean bag round during an early morning confrontation outside a McDonald\u2019s at 1341 S. Brookhurst Road, according to a letter sent to Fullerton Police Chief Jon Radus.<\/p>\nPolice were dispatched at approximately 2:55 am after an employee reported two men appearing to be under the influence of drugs near the restaurant entrance. The caller said she feared for coworkers arriving for work and reported seeing a small torch but no weapons.<\/p>\n
Responding officers encountered Campos Rio, who was shirtless and holding a black nylon belt with a metal buckle. Authorities said he yelled, sang and swung the belt while ignoring repeated commands in English and Spanish to drop the belt and sit down.<\/p>\n
Additional officers arrived, including Jarvis, who retrieved a 12-gauge less-lethal shotgun from his patrol vehicle. Officers attempted to gain compliance using verbal commands, a Taser and \u201cdry spark\u201d warnings, investigators said.<\/p>\n
According to the district attorney\u2019s summary, Campos Rio advanced toward officers while swinging the belt. After a Taser deployment appeared ineffective, Jarvis fired multiple bean bag rounds. On the fifth discharge, a round penetrated Campos Rio\u2019s chest. Officers immediately requested paramedics and began lifesaving efforts.
Campos Rio was transported to the University of California, Irvine Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 3:55 am.<\/p>\n
An autopsy conducted by the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner determined the cause of death was a penetrating chest injury to the heart with bilateral hemothorax. The manner of death was classified as homicide, a medical-legal term indicating death at the hands of another person, not a legal determination of criminal liability.<\/p>\n
The District Attorney\u2019s Office said investigators conducted 18 witness interviews and reviewed body-worn camera footage, dispatch recordings, forensic evidence, autopsy and toxicology reports, and other materials. Jarvis provided a voluntary statement on March 12, 2024.<\/p>\n
In its legal analysis, the office cited California law and U.S. Supreme Court precedent governing police use of force, including standards requiring that force be objectively reasonable based on the totality of the circumstances.<\/p>\n
After reviewing the evidence, prosecutors concluded there was insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Jarvis acted unlawfully. The review was limited to potential criminal liability and did not address departmental policy, tactics or civil liability.<\/p>\n
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