SAN DIEGO — San Diego County District Attorney has found the San Diego Police Officers who held 40-year-old Gabriel Garza in a prone restraint for nearly 8 minutes before his death acted reasonably.
In a December 2025 review, District Attorney Summer Stephan’s Office stated Mr. Garza, who had been kicked out of the Star Bar on January 25, 2025, had acted “erratically” and that officers needed to “prevent Garza from injuring himself, bystanders, or other officers” for the 8 minutes he was in a prone restraint.
The District Attorney’s decision not to press charges against the officers came despite the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s ruling that Mr. Garza’s death was a homicide.
Star Bar – January 25, 2025
According to the District Attorney’s investigation, Mr. Garza arrived at the Star Bar in the Gaslamp around 4:30 p.m. He ordered a beer from the bartender. The witness stated that Garza left the bar for about 20 minutes before returning for more drinks…