City Heights Residents Protest SDPD After Deadly Shooting

Victor Ortega was killed June 4, 2012 in a confrontation with a San Diego police officer

A group of protesters in City Heights joined people in cities all across the country Wednesday as they marched against police brutality.

More than 100 people chanted 'Justice for Victor Ortega' along with 'Hands up. Don’t shoot', a reference to the call for action after the death of Michael Brown.

The Ferguson, Missouri teen was shot and killed by Officer Darren Wilson on Aug. 9.

In City Heights, protesters marched for Victor Ortega, a 31-year-old father and husband who was shot and killed by a San Diego Police Officer in June 2012.

“It’s been hard,” said Ortega's widow Shakina. “I can't see my best friend , my husband anymore.
My kids don’t have a father anymore.”

Shakina was among the group of people rallying through the streets of City Heights calling for an end to what she calls police injustice that she says her husband and others have suffered

“You can't trust police," exclaimed Cathy Mendonça of United Against Police Terror. As the rally’s organizer, she urged residents to keep watch over their own communities and hold police accountable.

“ Film them at all times. Encourage everyone it is your right if you're out in public it is your right to film police," Mendonça said.

Ortega was shot during a struggle with an officer who was responding to a domestic violence call at the couple's Mira Mesa home.

Officer Jonathan McCarthy, was attempting to arrest Ortega when a fight began. One of the officer’s guns dropped to the ground according to police spokesperson Lt. Kevin Rooney.

The officer then shot Ortega with a second gun, killing him.

The San Diego County District Attorney's Office reviewed the shooting and found the officer's actions were justified. No charges were filed.

“Why is he still working and my husband is not here with his kids? “ questioned Ortega’s widow. “For what? That I can’t get over that and that’s why I’m going to be fighting.”

An SDPD spokesperson released a statement saying the department stands behind the people’s right to rally peacefully.

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