The California Department of Justice has released a report concerning the officer-involved shooting of Ruben Ramos in Burbank, California, on May 27, 2023. The incident involved officers from the Burbank Police Department and resulted in the death of Mr. Ramos. The report is part of ongoing efforts by the DOJ to ensure transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices.
Attorney General Rob Bonta stated, “The loss of life in this situation is a tragedy that resonates deeply throughout California.” He emphasized the impact on individuals and families as well as the community at large. Bonta added, "We acknowledge that this incident has caused significant challenges and hardships for all those impacted, including Mr. Ramos’ family, the law enforcement agencies involved, and the wider community."
On the day of the incident, officers responded to reports of an individual with a gun at a Home Depot parking lot. Upon identifying Mr. Ramos as the suspect, he reportedly pulled out an object later identified as a black knife and assumed a shooting stance before being fatally shot by police.
Under Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), which mandates investigations into officer-involved shootings resulting in civilian deaths when unarmed, DOJ conducted its investigation and found insufficient evidence to support criminal charges against the officers involved. The report concluded that there was no proof beyond reasonable doubt that officers acted without intent to defend themselves or others from perceived imminent harm.
The DOJ's investigation also led to several policy recommendations aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future. These include amending policies related to negligent discharge and round count checks during critical incidents and enhancing crisis intervention responses by expanding mental health resources within BPD.
A copy of the full report is available for public access.