Officers Cleared in Fatal Shooting of Unarmed Transient

Orange County prosecutors say bean-bag shooting was legally justified

Feb. 26, 2026 at 8:39pm

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The Orange County District Attorney's Office has cleared Fullerton police officers of any criminal wrongdoing in the fatal 2024 bean-bag shooting of 50-year-old Alejandro Campos Rios, an unarmed transient, in front of a McDonald's restaurant. Prosecutors concluded the officers were legally justified in using force against Campos Rios, who was acting erratically and swinging a belt with a metal buckle.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing debate around the use of force by police, particularly against vulnerable populations like the homeless. It also raises questions about de-escalation tactics and the effectiveness of less-lethal weapons like bean-bag rounds.

The details

According to prosecutors, a McDonald's employee called police around 2:55 a.m. on March 6, 2024 about two apparently homeless men who appeared to be high at the restaurant's entrance. When officers arrived, Campos Rios refused commands, was confrontational, and was swinging a belt with a metal buckle. After about 10 minutes of attempted de-escalation, Cpl. Nicholas Jarvis fired a bean-bag round that struck Campos Rios in the chest, killing him. Prosecutors said Jarvis reasonably believed Campos Rios posed a significant threat.

  • The incident occurred around 2:55 a.m. on March 6, 2024.
  • The Orange County District Attorney's Office released its report clearing the officers on February 19, 2026.

The players

Alejandro Campos Rios

A 50-year-old unarmed transient who was fatally shot by police in Fullerton, California.

Cpl. Nicholas Jarvis

The Fullerton police officer who fired the fatal bean-bag round at Alejandro Campos Rios.

Cpl. Anthony Valle

The Fullerton police officer who unsuccessfully attempted to subdue Alejandro Campos Rios with a Taser.

Nick Thomo

The former Orange County Deputy District Attorney who authored the report clearing the officers of wrongdoing.

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What they’re saying

“In this incident, the evidence demonstrates that Cpl. Jarvis reasonably believed that Campos Rios posed a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to himself and others.”

— Nick Thomo, Former Deputy District Attorney

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges police face in de-escalating confrontations with mentally unstable or drug-impaired individuals, and the need for continued training and development of less-lethal force options to minimize loss of life.