Lawsuit against L.A. County deputies involved in bar fight dismissed

Judge rules Seitz failed to show deputies violated his civil rights in Santa Clarita incident

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Valencia resident Parker Seitz, who alleged he was beaten by off-duty Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies outside a Santa Clarita bar in 2024. The judge ruled that Seitz failed to show the deputies violated his civil rights, and that some of the actions he claimed were meant to intimidate him were "routine law enforcement interactions."

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing tensions between law enforcement and the public, with questions around accountability and use of force, especially when off-duty officers are involved in incidents. The dismissal of the lawsuit raises concerns about the ability of citizens to seek justice through the courts in such cases.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Seitz was attacked by off-duty deputies Randy Austin and Nicholas Hernandez, along with a third man, outside the Break Room bar in Santa Clarita in November 2024. Seitz alleged the incident left him with a fractured jaw, punctured lung and bruised collarbone. However, the county argued that Seitz was actually the aggressor, and surveillance video appeared to show him throwing the first punch. The judge ruled that Seitz and his attorneys failed to show his First Amendment rights were violated, and that some of the alleged intimidation tactics were "routine law enforcement interactions."

  • The incident occurred on November 28, 2024 outside a Santa Clarita bar.
  • The lawsuit was filed in California's Central District federal court on August 25, 2025.
  • The judge dismissed the lawsuit on February 27, 2026.

The players

Parker Seitz

A Valencia resident who filed the lawsuit claiming he was beaten by off-duty deputies outside a Santa Clarita bar.

Randy Austin

An off-duty Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy allegedly involved in the incident with Seitz.

Nicholas Hernandez

An off-duty Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy allegedly involved in the incident with Seitz.

Justin Diez

A captain in the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's North Patrol Division who allegedly called Seitz's father to suggest the criminal investigation would "go away."

R. Gary Klausner

The U.S. District Court judge who dismissed Seitz's lawsuit.

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What they’re saying

“This video, which was submitted to the federal court, shows clearly that our client was brutally beaten. We look forward to presenting our evidence to a jury.”

— Josh Stambaugh, Attorney for Parker Seitz

What’s next

Seitz's attorneys said they are considering an appeal of the federal court's dismissal and intend to file another claim in county court.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in holding law enforcement accountable, even when citizens allege excessive use of force. The dismissal of Seitz's federal lawsuit raises concerns about the ability of ordinary citizens to seek justice through the courts in such cases involving off-duty officers.