FN 509 MRD-LE, one of the type of guns used by Los Angeles Police Department

November 14, 2026 - OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta, in accordance with Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), released a report on Friday on the death of Aaron Gardner from an officer-involved shooting in Grover Beach, California on May 25, 2024. The incident involved officers from the Grover Beach Police Department (GBPD). The report is part of continuous efforts by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices. The report presents a comprehensive analysis of the incident that outlines DOJ’s findings. After a thorough investigation, DOJ concluded the evidence does not support filing criminal charges in this case.

“We hope that this report provides clarity to the Grover Beach community and to those personally affected by this incident,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The California Department of Justice is committed to building a legal system that fosters transparency, trust, and accountability between law enforcement agencies and communities. We believe AB 1506 is vital in helping us achieve the goal to build a safer California.”

On May 25, 2024, GBPD officers responded to an initial 911 call regarding Mr. Gardner threatening a person with a handgun but were unable to locate him. A GBPD officer then responded to a second call approximately ten minutes later about Mr. Gardner throwing rocks at passing vehicles and passersby. Once located, Mr. Gardner stated that he was armed, held the gun behind his back, and repeatedly ignored the officer’s warnings to drop the gun. After Mr. Gardner aimed the gun at the officer, the officer fired his weapon, fatally wounding Mr. Gardner. After the shooting, Mr. Gardner’s handgun was discovered to be a plastic, Glock-style replica.

AB 1506 requires DOJ to investigate all incidents of officer-involved shootings resulting in the death of an unarmed civilian in the state. After conducting a thorough investigation into this incident, DOJ concluded that the evidence does not show, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the officer involved acted without the intent to defend themselves and others from what they reasonably believed to be imminent death or serious bodily injury. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution of the officer, and no further action will be taken in this case.

As part of all AB 1506 investigations, DOJ meticulously examines each case to propose policy recommendations that it believes will help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. After a detailed investigation, DOJ has identified five policy recommendations relating to this case. The first recommendation is for GBPD to work with the San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Communication Center to ensure that dispatchers are providing critical information in their communication with responding officers. The second recommendation is for GBPD to finalize their draft crisis intervention policy and provide training on that policy. The third recommendation is for GBPD to provide additional training on when to wait for backup before engaging in potentially high-risk encounter, such as engaging with a person who is committing battery and throwing rocks. The fourth recommendation is to provide additional training on the de-escalation tactics of using time, distance, and cover when approaching an armed or potentially violent subject. Lastly, the fifth recommendation is for GBPD to amend its de-escalation policy and training to comply with current state law.

Source: CA. DOJ