Full Breakdown
San Diego Officers Cleared in Death of Gabriel Garza
2/13/2026, 6:48:51 AM
Incident Overview
On January 25, 2025, Gabriel Garza, a 40-year-old caterer from San Diego, died after being restrained by police officers outside the Star Bar in the Gaslamp district. The San Diego District Attorney, Summer Stephan, concluded that officers Jacob Phipps and Noah McLemore acted within the bounds of the law, using "the minimal amount of force necessary" during the incident. The DA's report indicated that Garza was behaving erratically, having been drinking and fighting inside the bar prior to police involvement.
Sequence of Events
Garza was initially subdued by bar patrons who held him on the ground for approximately 26 minutes before police arrived. Upon arrival, officers Phipps and McLemore restrained Garza, with Phipps kneeling on his back for nearly eight minutes. During this time, Garza became unresponsive and was later pronounced dead at Scripps Mercy Hospital. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide, attributing it to a combination of alcohol and cocaine in his system, along with significant cardiovascular disease.
Official Statements & Responses
The San Diego Police Department and the involved officers declined to comment on the DA's findings. District Attorney Summer Stephan stated that the officers bore no criminal liability for their actions. In contrast, attorney Lauren Mellano, representing Garza's family in a civil suit against the officers and the police department, expressed disappointment but noted that the family was not surprised by the DA's decision. She emphasized the family's belief that Garza was not a threat and was fighting for his life during the restraint.
Criticism & Opposition
Carlos Garza, Gabriel's brother, criticized the DA's decision, questioning how a homicide could occur without accountability. He described the situation as "horrible" and "disgusting," expressing frustration over the lack of charges against the officers involved. Mellano echoed this sentiment, asserting that the video evidence of the incident speaks for itself and that the civil case would continue to seek justice for Garza.
What's Next
The civil suit filed by Garza's family against the San Diego Police Department and the two officers is ongoing, with the potential for a trial date to be set before the end of the year. The family seeks unspecified damages, aiming to hold the officers accountable for their actions during the incident.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The video speaks for itself. I don’t think this will have any impact on the civil case,” — Lauren Mellano, Attorney for Garza Family
- “Horrible, disgusting, no accountability,” — Carlos Garza, Brother of Gabriel Garza
- “It compels me. It puts fire in my heart to get justice for my brother Gabriel,” — Carlos Garza, Brother of Gabriel Garza
