Arootin Bandari
Service Record
San Bernardino County California Sheriff's Department
| Rank | Deputy |
| Dates of Service | Hired approximately 2016.[1] |
| Salary | $169,292 (2022)[2] |
| Last Known Status | Active |
Incident Reports
2019 Death of Daniel Messmer
On February 23, 2019, Bandari, other deputies, and a police helicopter responded to a call of a drunk man with a gun at a gas station. Deputies located Messmer, who was armed with a handgun and "appeared distraught". Deputies attempted to deescalate for nearly 15 minutes. Messmer discarded the handgun, but retrieved it and pointed it at deputies, prompting Bandari and several other deputies to shoot him.[3]
Messmer was pronounced dead at the scene.[3]
Audio of the incident was captured on the deputies' belt recorders.[3]
Response Timeline
On August 17, 2021, the county District Attorney released the results of their investigation, finding that the deputies believed that "Messmer posed an imminent threat of serious bodily injury or death" and that their actions were legally justified.[3]
2020 Death of Jakob Osuna
On September 28, 2020, Bandari and trainee Deputy Roberto Morales were patrolling when their vehicle was almost struck by another that failed to stop at a stop sign. Osuna led the officers on a high-speed chase, reaching speeds of 70mph in a 25mph neighborhood. Osuna drove into a cul-de-sac, slowed, and opened his door. Bandari used his vehicle's PA system to order Osuna to stop. Osuna attempted to make a u-turn, but struck the curb, causing the driver's airbags to deploy and damaging a tire. Osuna drove at 10-15mph while the passengers in the car showed their hands to officers. Deputies Michael Martinez, Derek Hoffman, and Corie Smith joined the pursuit. The passengers dove from the car and were arrested by the additional officers.[1]
Osuna stopped his vehicle, with Morales stopping parallel to and slightly behind Osuna's vehicle. Bardari and Osuna exited their vehicles, and Bandari placed his hand on Osuna's shoulder to keep him from running. Osuna presented a handgun, which he pointed at Bandari's torso. Bandari pushed away and moved to gain cover while drawing his weapon and firing at Osuna, striking him.[1]
Officers rendered aid until paramedics arrived. Osuna was pronounced dead at the scene.[1]
Audio of the incident was captured on Morales' and Hoffman's belt recorders. A home surveillance system three houses away recorded some of the incident before the shooting.[1]
Response Timeline
On September 10, 2021, Osuna's family filed a federal lawsuit against the county.
On February 8, 2022, the family withdrew their lawsuit.
On December 18, 2023, the county District Attorney released the results of their investigation, finding that Bandari believed "he was under threat of imminent deadly harm or bodily injury", that the use of force was reasonable and justified, and Bandari faced no criminal liability.[1]
LEO Ratings reached out to the family's attorney to see if a settlement was reached with the county. (2024-01-14)
LEO Ratings
Public Comments
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Fatal Officer-Involved Incident, San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office, 2023-12-18
- ↑ Arootin Bandari, Deputy Sheriff Hr Shift, San Bernardino County, govSalaries
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Officer Involved Shooting (Fatal), San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office, 2021-08-17
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