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Arzola family urges Anaheim leaders to release footage and autopsy records in fatal police shooting
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Summary
Family members and dozens of public speakers demanded that the City of Anaheim and Anaheim Police Department release unedited video and autopsy information in the April killing of Albert Arzola, calling for transparency, officer identification and attendance at the civilian review board; councilmembers said investigations are active but did not release names.
Juanita Lopez, who identified herself as the grandmother of Albert Arzola, told the Anaheim City Council on April 7 that she wants “justice for my grandson” and asked why officers shot him while his hands were in the air. Lopez said the family has not been told which officers were involved and urged release of all footage so the community can see what happened.
The council heard multiple, emotional public comments from family members and supporters. Grace Arzola, who identified herself as Albert's aunt, said she reviewed video that she says shows an officer dragging her nephew by his hoodie and firing a shot she described as to the back of the head: “My nephew did not deserve to die that day,” she said, and asked the council to obtain and review the footage.
Why it matters: family members and advocates framed the matter as both a criminal and civic oversight issue. Speakers asked the city to make autopsy reports and all video—including body‑worn, surveillance and unedited recordings—public and to ensure the independent review board provides timely notice of cancellations and meeting locations.
City response and next steps: Council members acknowledged the family's pain and told the public that investigations are active. Council Member Moss said she was “sorry for the loss” and confirmed active investigations; she did not provide officer names or additional materials. Staff did not announce new releases of evidence during the meeting. The Arzola family said they plan to attend the Anaheim Review Board meeting scheduled for April 30 and urged the council for a 24‑hour notice policy when meetings are canceled.
What council did: No formal motion or policy change on disclosure was made at the meeting. City staff and the review board were urged repeatedly by family members to increase transparency and to make footage and reports available to the family and the public as permitted by law.
Context and claims: Several public speakers accused the Anaheim Police Department of failing the family and called for officer accountability. Family members asserted facts drawn from their review of video; the council did not adjudicate those claims at the meeting. The claims remain contested and unresolved in the public record pending investigatory and legal processes.
What to watch: The Arzola family and their advocates said they will press the city and the civilian review board for public disclosure at the April 30 review board meeting and at future council sessions. Any release of footage or personnel identification will be governed by ongoing investigations and applicable public‑records law.
