(March 3, 2023)

Statement on the Killing of Dr. Yan Li on One-Year Anniversary

 
One year ago today, March 3, 2022, Dr. Yan Li was brutally shot to death by San Diego sheriff deputies.  One year later, we are still waiting for answers.  

The unjustified killing of Dr. Yan Li shocked many who have expressed outrage towards deputies for their merciless handling of a person who displayed unstable mental conditions.  On behalf of every concerned citizen, Alliance of Chinese Americans San Diego (ACA) issued a public statement shortly after the killing demanding the proper training of deputies, de-escalation measures, rational responses to mental health crises, and more.  ACA has also made numerous requests for the release of bodycam videos and the results of the internal investigation by the San Diego County Sheriff Department. The public was informed by authorities that a report of the investigation by the San Diego County Sheriff was to be published within six months of internal investigation but, to this date, nothing has been released.

ACA hereby renews the call for transparency of investigations by the law enforcement agencies.  We urge Sheriff Martinez to provide an update, call for honest and forthcoming communications and discussions with the community regarding preventive, de-escalating measures and training that should be adopted by all law enforcement officers to prevent tragic incidents like this from happening again.