Santa Ana officials are investigating an incident captured on video, which appears to show two police officers using excessive force during the arrest of a 28-year-old man. The footage, circulating on social media, depicts officers throwing Florentino Junior Lopez to the ground and striking him repeatedly.
The video shows Lopez being held against the hood of a police car before being pulled to the ground and punched. His attorney, John Kremer, stated, "All of the sudden, things got out of control." The altercation reportedly concluded when two additional officers arrived, leading to Lopez being handcuffed. The incident occurred Thursday evening outside Lopez's residence, according to his attorney.
Kremer asserts that the video clearly demonstrates excessive force by the officers involved. Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua addressed the matter on social media, affirming that the situation is under investigation and that details will not be released if they could jeopardize the process. She emphasized her support for transparency and a comprehensive review, adding, "we cannot judge all officers by one’s actions."
Florentino Junior Lopez, who is employed in construction, was reportedly on probation at the time of the arrest. His attorney confirmed that Lopez previously served a 10-day sentence earlier this year for charges including carrying a loaded weapon, resisting arrest, and involvement in a hit-and-run incident.
Santa Ana Police Chief Robert Rodriguez stated that the department is conducting a thorough review, which includes body-worn camera footage, official reports, and the specific circumstances surrounding the arrest. "I have personally reviewed the video and want to assure our community that we take every use of force seriously," Rodriguez said in a statement released Sunday.
Lopez's attorney recounted that his client and his sister were smoking on their front lawn when the officers arrived and directed Lopez into the street. The sister subsequently recorded the ensuing interaction. Lopez is facing charges of resisting an officer and smoking near a school, in addition to being cited for being a pedestrian on a roadway. His bail has been set at $20,000, with a court date scheduled for October 13.
