Ja Ma Lo Day, a 21-year-old resident of San Diego, died on July 13, 2014, after being shot by San Diego Police Department officers at his family’s home in the City Heights neighborhood. Family members had called 911 saying Day was threatening them. Officers encountered him agitated and initially armed with a knife and a stick; after attempts to subdue him with stun guns and police dogs, he reportedly retrieved a machete from inside the house and swung it at an officer. Officers Kelly Copeland Jr. and Javier Morales fired on Day; he died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.

The San Diego Police Department and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office investigated and ultimately concluded the officers’ use of lethal force was justified. No arrests or charges were filed, and the officers involved were cleared. The shooting drew significant community attention and discussion about police use of force and responses to individuals in mental health crisis. If anyone knew Ja Ma Lo Day or has information about the incident, please share what you know.