Parents of Youth Fatally Shot by Pursuing Officer File Suit

The parents of a 17-year-old boy who was shot and killed by a Santa Ana police officer filed suit Tuesday, claiming the officer acted out of “hatred and prejudice” and that the youth was unarmed when he died.

The parents of Jose Juan “Joseph” Pulido filed the suit in Orange County Superior Court, seeking unspecified damages for the death of their son, who was shot Dec. 21 as he fled from the officer.

In January, Pedro and Elizabeth Pulido filed a $10-million claim against the city for their son’s death, but it was rejected, according to the family’s attorney, James H. Cesena of Orange.

Police said Pulido was a known gang member with a stolen handgun who was fleeing from an officer who had tried to question him and his friends.

Police sources have said that Officer Ernie Conde shot Pulido as the boy aimed a gun back over his shoulder.

Cesena said Tuesday that he believes Pulido either had thrown his gun over a tall fence just before the shooting or never had a weapon.

The fact that the gun was discovered in a separate yard is suspicious, Cesena said.

The suit claims the shooting was motivated “by hatred and prejudice of Hispanic individuals, or in particular, Hispanic males” and that Pulido had committed no felony and was being chased only because he ran.

Under state law, officers may use deadly force to prevent the escape of a dangerous felon or to protect their life or the lives of others.