Family of man killed by San Bernardino County deputies receives nearly $52 million, urges attorney general to file charges

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) — The family of a man who was shot and killed by San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies in February 2023 is asking the California Attorney General to file criminal charges against the deputies involved.

A federal jury awarded Antonio Garza Jr.’s family $51.8 million Thursday, the largest award in a police shooting case in California history, the family’s attorneys said.

The jury found deputies Bill Abernathy and Nicholas Kridner responsible for Garza’s death.

“What started with a false allegation of arson ended with the murder of our brother and a deliberate attempt by San Bernardino County and law enforcement to cover up what really happened,” said Garza’s sister, Victoria Velasquez. “We still won’t have our brother. I think part of that has helped is that now everyone can see the lies they told and how they tried to cover them up.”

According to Garza’s family, the 44-year-old was suffering from a mental health issue when officers chased him across the desert and shot him at least 12 times, including in the back and while he was curled up in the fetal position. Video recorded on a cellphone by a passerby shows the moments leading up to the fatal shooting.

The shooting happened near Highway 10 near Whitewater.

“This was the execution of a mentally ill person,” said Rebecca Brown, the attorney representing the Garza family.

Brown says Kridner and Abernathy continue to work for the sheriff’s department and have been promoted.

Eyewitness News reached out to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department for comment on the verdict but did not receive a response.

Following the verdict, Garza’s family urged law enforcement agencies across California and the country to properly train officers on how to interact and respond to people experiencing a mental health crisis.

The family is also asking the attorney general to file criminal charges in connection with the shooting.