Family of Retired Navy Corpsman Seeks Police Footage After Fatal Chula Vista Shooting

The family of Carlos Enriquez, a 56-year-old retired Navy corpsman with PTSD, is demanding the immediate release of body camera and drone footage after he was fatally shot by Chula Vista police during a mental health crisis on April 19. Police say Enriquez pointed a gun at officers before being shot, but his family and their attorneys want to independently verify this through video evidence. California law requires law enforcement to release such footage within 45 days of a critical incident, but the family has requested an earlier disclosure, citing distrust due to prior fatal encounters involving the officers present. The family, who has not yet filed a lawsuit, says they would not have called 911 had they anticipated this outcome, emphasizing concerns about how police handle mental health crises. The Chula Vista Police Department has stated that recordings will be released by June 3, but has not responded to requests for an earlier release. The incident has raised broader questions about police responses to mental health emergencies and transparency in use-of-force investigations.