Anaheim officials are holding back the name of the officer who shot and killed 19-year-old Alberto Arzola on Dec. 6, saying that releasing it would put the officer in danger because of unspecified public threats. The move has only intensified calls from Arzola’s family and civil-rights attorneys for full, unedited body camera footage and a clearer accounting of what unfolded on the teenager’s front steps.
City cites safety concerns in response to records request
In a Jan. 26 response to a public records request, Chief Assistant City Attorney Kristin Pelletier wrote that Anaheim is withholding the officer’s identity because “disclosure may endanger the officer’s safety in light of threats made by the public related to this incident,” according to The Los Angeles Times. The Times noted that the city is citing safety concerns even though other agencies in the region have previously released officer names after fatal shootings.
Police account and released footage
According to an Anaheim Police Department press release, officers on a gang-suppression patrol chased several people before a struggle with Arzola ended with one officer firing. The department said a loaded assault-style firearm was recovered near the scene.
The department has released body-worn camera footage from the officer who fired and says the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, along with multiple internal review teams, is conducting independent investigations into the shooting.
Family disputes the police narrative
Arzola’s family, represented by civil-rights attorney V. James DeSimone, has filed claims against the city, arguing that the available video shows Arzola trying to comply and that officers used excessive force. Local coverage of a tense December news conference detailed the family’s announcement of those claims.
Reporting by NBC Los Angeles says the family is also seeking body camera footage from another officer who was present at the scene but did not fire. DeSimone has told reporters he is not aware of any credible threats tied to the family and has urged Anaheim to release unedited video so outside experts can review what happened.
Legal context: when can names be withheld?
Under the California Public Records Act, the state Supreme Court has said that officer names are presumed to be public. In a 2014 decision involving Long Beach, however, the court allowed a narrow exception when an agency can show a specific, evidence-based safety risk, not just a general fear of harassment.
As a public records attorney explained to The Los Angeles Times, “There has to be a specific threat.” The California Supreme Court’s opinion is summarized in more detail at Justia, which notes that courts generally expect a particularized showing of danger before allowing agencies to withhold an officer’s name.
What to watch next
The Orange County district attorney’s review, combined with the family’s civil claims, sets the stage for likely litigation. A lawsuit would give attorneys access to investigative files and evidence, including any unredacted video and, through discovery, potentially the officer’s identity.
Local outlets following the case have pointed out that the courtroom is where Anaheim’s public safety rationale and the family’s demands for transparency are most likely to collide. Until a judge or the department provides more detail, the city’s Jan. 26 explanation remains its official reason for keeping the officer’s name out of public view.
