The family of a man fatally shot by police during a traffic stop in Newport Beach last month has announced its intention to file a federal lawsuit, alleging the use of lethal force was unjustified and that critical de-escalation tactics were neglected.
The incident, which occurred in April, resulted in the death of 45-year-old Geoff Stirling. Recently released body camera footage from the Newport Beach Police Department has prompted the family to question the officer’s actions.
The video shows an officer initiating a traffic stop after reportedly observing a red light violation. While Stirling complied by dismounting his motorcycle, he verbally resisted commands to sit on the ground. The situation escalated into a physical struggle after Stirling refused to comply and moved toward his bike. During the altercation, the footage indicates Stirling gained control of the officer’s Taser and pointed it at him. The officer then issued a command to drop the weapon before firing six shots.
In a statement, Stirling’s family contends the video reveals their relative was moving away from the officer when he was shot. They state Stirling was unarmed at the time of the stop and was experiencing a mental health crisis, posing no deadly threat. The family further claims that no immediate medical aid was rendered by the multiple officers on scene, with the official cause of death listed as blood loss.
“Our goal is to obtain full answers and ensure accountability,” the family’s statement read. “We believe there were other options available to the officer that were not utilized, and that this represents a tragic failure in protocol and judgment.”
The family held a private service for Stirling earlier this month. In a separate online tribute, a family member reflected on the profound loss, writing of heartbreak and shock, but also of faith and the hope of reunion.
The planned lawsuit seeks to address what the family describes as serious concerns over police conduct and the use of force in this incident.
