FATAL POLICE SHOOTINGS IN 1989

Eleven people have died so far this year in officer-involved shootings. The Orange County district attorney’s office, which routinely investigates all such shootings, is still reviewing the four most recent cases. The first seven cases--from Jan. 29 to July 21--have been closed, with the district attorney finding no evidence of criminal wrongdoing.

Oct. 10--Anaheim--Police fatally shot Gregory A. Rosenberger, 25, a drug suspect, during a struggle with officers.

Sept. 20--Santa Ana--Police fatally shot Ernest Nunez in the back. The fleeing man was suspected of robbing a clothing store and ignored orders to halt.

Sept. 8--Placentia--After a car chase and a 20-minute gun battle, an officer fatally shot suspect Dennis William Smith. Police responded to a restaurant, where the suspect allegedly shot and wounded one officer.

Aug. 19--Garden Grove--A SWAT team member shot Michael J. Wright in the head, after the man allegedly shot and wounded his wife and was holding her hostage. He died four days later.

July 21--Huntington Beach--Police confronted and fatally shot robbery suspect Karl Cardella coming out of a Bank of America branch. Cardella’s car was punctured by at least 75 bullets during the frantic police chase through residential neighborhoods.

July 8--Orange--Responding to a disturbance call, police fatally shot Frank Nalepa, who threatened the two patrolmen with a butcher knife.

May 25--Santa Ana--During a chase, police fatally shot armed robbery suspect Paul Castro, who was described as “armed and dangerous,” when he appeared to be reaching for an object in his waistband. A knife was found on the body.

March 8--Fountain Valley--Responding to a woman’s call for help, police shot Harry Owen Clark five to six times, killing him, after the man grabbed an officer’s baton and began beating the officers.

Feb. 20--Huntington Beach--Responding to a disturbance call, police fatally shot Alan Edward Norried after he ignored repeated demands to drop the martial arts weapons he was holding and freeze.

Feb. 2--Anaheim--After a 45-minute car chase, police shot without warning, killing Robert Vincent Edson as he reached in his pocket outside a motel, where he and his wife and child had been living. Police thought he was reaching for a gun, but he was apparently reaching for keys, as no weapon was found.

Jan. 29--Garden Grove--Responding to a domestic disturbance call, police fired 14 shots at Paul Gonzales, five of which struck and fatally wounded Gonzales as he walked into the living room. Police claimed he drew a weapon, which turned out to be a toy gun.