This archive report was first published on 26 June 2020.
On June 26, 2020, a video surfaced showing the fatal encounter between Carlos Ingram Lopez and the Tucson Police Department. The incident has left the family and community reeling, with many questioning the police's actions.
According to the family's lawyer, Mr. Coronado, the police's internal affairs office started an investigation after Mr. Lopez's death, but the lieutenant in charge failed to immediately alert Chief Magnus or his deputy to the video and its contents.
Mayor Romero and Chief Magnus have both stated that they will review video footage of all in-custody deaths and inform the public promptly, a practice they claim is already in place for police shootings. However, Mayor Romero also suggested that the videos themselves should not be released until an internal review is completed.
“There needs to be police accountability and transparency as much as we possibly can,” Mayor Romero said. “And there needs to be a fair internal investigation as well. It’s a balanced approach that we need to take.”
Mr. Coronado is seeking information from the internal investigation to determine the next course of action for the family, which may include filing a civil suit against the police force. Chief Magnus has also requested that the FBI examine the circumstances surrounding Mr. Lopez's death.
