Santa Ana, CA – Dieciséis personas, entre ellas familiares de Jaden Michaca, abogados del bufete Carillo Law Firm y miembros de la Organización de Servicio Comunitario del Condado de Orange (CSO OC), se congregaron frente al Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana (SAPD) para exigir justicia para Jaden Michaca el martes 23 de junio. Michaca tenía solo 15 años y estaba sufriendo una crisis de salud mental cuando fue asesinado por la policía apenas nueve días antes.

Maribel Michaca, la mamá de Jaden, explicó cómo el SAPD distorsionó el incidente. Las declaraciones de la policía dieron a entender que estaban respondiendo a una llamada por un altercado familiar que terminó en un apuñalamiento. Maribel explicó que llamó al 911 para que atendieran una crisis de salud mental, y que en el pasado había llamado al 911 para que un equipo psiquiátrico calmara estas situaciones. Además, Maribel dijo que su pareja no fue apuñalada, sino que se hizo un rasguño accidentalmente al intentar quitarle un cuchillo a Jaden durante su crisis.

Pero esta vez enviaron a dos agentes de policía. Cuando la policía irrumpió en su departamento, Maribel dijo, “¡Por favor, no disparen! ¡Por favor, no disparen! ¡Mi hijo está pasando por una crisis de salud mental!”. En la conferencia de prensa, Maribel explicó, “Yo estaba parada junto a él y a ellos no les importó. Simplemente comenzaron a disparar, una bala tras otra. Ni siquiera les importó que mi propia vida estuviera en peligro”. Maribel recibió un balazo en la mano y su pulgar derecho quedó inmovilizado con una férula. Ella dijo, “Mi hijo no representaba ningún peligro para mí. Estaba más en peligro por los disparos de la policía, que podrían haberme matado a mí y a mi hijo”.

Michael Carillo, uno de los abogados que representa a la familia, dijo que estaban presentando una demanda contra el gobierno de la ciudad de Santa Ana y el SAPD, en la que acusan a los oficiales de negligencia y de no haber logrado calmar la situación. La forma en que el SAPD respondió ante Jaden Michaca fue similar a la de otros casos de muertes a manos de la policía, como los de Henry González Jr. y Noe Rodríguez, quienes también estaban sufriendo una crisis de salud mental y luego fueron criminalizados y asesinados por la policía.

Los familiares sostenían fotos grandes de Jaden, en las que se le veía acunando a su gato, abrazando a su familia frente a un pastel de cumpleaños y de pie junto a su madre. Otros sostenían pancartas de CSO OC en las que se leía, “Justicia para Jaden Michaca”, “Publicen las grabaciones de las cámaras corporales”, “Publicen el informe de la autopsia” y “Encarcelen a los policías asesinos”.

Jasmine Michaca, la tía de Jaden dijo, “Jaden siempre fue un niño muy cariñoso. Pasé la mayor parte de mi infancia junto a él. A Jaden le empezó a gustar Pokémon y cada vez que venía a casa, me mostraba su colección”.

En los últimos dos años, Jaden comenzó a sufrir trastorno bipolar. Su mamá lo sacó de la escuela pública y empezó a tomar clases en línea y a recibir ayuda. Jasmine compartió su último recuerdo de su sobrino, diciendo, “Acababa de regresar de la Universidad de California en Santa Bárbara. Pasamos el fin de semana juntos y él estaba tan emocionado de verme. Me había llamado dos semanas antes. Recuerdo que un día estábamos sentados en la sala y me contaba que no había podido terminar la preparatoria. Quería ir a la universidad y seguir una carrera como mecánico. Le dije que si alguna vez necesitaba ayuda, yo estaría ahí para apoyarlo”. Ella lloró y abrazó a la madre de Jaden.

Maribel Michaca dijo, “Lo que pido hoy es justicia para mi hijo. No merecía morir de esa manera. Era un niño cariñoso. ¡Tenía planes! ¡Tenía un futuro!”.

La multitud coreó, “¡Justicia para Jaden! ¡Justicia para Jaden! ¡Justicia para Jaden!”.

CSO OC exige el control comunitario de la policía, y luchamos junto a las familias afectadas por la policía. Si te interesa unirte a nuestro trabajo, ponte en contacto con nosotros en Instagram, Facebook, o correo electrónico a orangecountycso@gmail.com.

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Santa Ana, CA – Sixteen people, including members of Jaden Michaca’s family, lawyers with Carillo Law Firm, and members of Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC) crowded outside Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) to demand justice for Jaden Michaca on Tuesday, June 23. Michaca was only 15 years old and suffering a mental health crisis when he was killed by police just nine days before.

Maribel Michaca, Jaden's mother, explained how SAPD distorted the incident. Police statements made it sound like they were responding to a call about a family disturbance that resulted in a stabbing. Maribel explained that she called 911 to respond to a mental health crisis, and that in the past she called 911 to have a psychiatric team de-escalate these situations. Additionally, Maribel said her partner was not stabbed but accidentally scratched trying to take away a knife from Jaden during his crisis.

But this time two police officers were sent. When police broke into her apartment Maribel said, “Please do not shoot! Please do not shoot! My son is having a mental health crisis!” At the press conference Maribel explained, “I was standing next to him and they did not care. They just started shooting – one bullet after another bullet. They didn’t even care about my own life being in danger.” Maribel’s hand was shot and her right thumb was immobilized in a brace. She said, “I was not in danger from my son. I was more in danger from the police shooting at me and killing my son.”

Michael Carillo, one of the lawyers representing the family, said they were filing a government claim against the city of Santa Ana and SAPD, accusing the officers of negligence and a failure to de-escalate the situation. The way SAPD responded to Jaden Michaca was similar to other police killings, such as that of Henry Gonzalez Junior and Noe Rodriguez, who were also suffering a mental health crises and then criminalized and killed by police.

Family members held large photos of Michaca, where he was shown cradling his pet cat, embracing family in front of a cake for his birthday, and standing with his mother. Others held CSO OC signs that read, “Justice for Jaden Michaca,” “Release the body camera footage,” “Release the autopsy report” and “Jail killer cops.”

Jasmine Michaca, Jaden’s aunt, said “Jaden was always such a loving kid. I spent most of my childhood growing up with him. Jaden started developing a liking for Pokémon, and every time he would come home, he would show me his collection.”

In the last two years Jaden began experiencing bipolar disorder. His mother pulled him from public school, and he began taking online classes and receiving help. Jasmine shared her last memory of her nephew, saying “I just came back recently from UC Santa Barbara. Spending the weekend together, he was just so excited to see me. He had called me two weeks prior. I remember one day we were sitting in the living room, and he was telling me he didn’t get to finish high school. He wanted to go to college and pursue a career as a mechanic. I told him if he ever needs help, I will be there with him.” She wept and embraced Jaden’s mother.

Maribel Michaca said, “What I’m asking for today is justice for my son. He did not deserve to die the way he did. He was a loving child. He had plans! He had a future!”

The crowd chanted, “Justice for Jaden! Justice for Jaden! Justice for Jaden!”

CSO OC demands community control of the police, and we fight alongside families impacted by police. If you are interested in joining our work, please reach out on Instagram or Facebook, or email at orangecountycso@gmail.com.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #OrangeCounty #CSOOC #OppressedNationalities #InjusticeSystem #JadenMichaca

Santa Ana CA – The afternoon of Saturday, June 19, 25 people, including members of Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC) and concerned community members, gathered to demand accountability and transparency after yet another resident was killed by Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) earlier that week.

Chants of “Justice for Jaden Michaca!” and “¡Basta policías asesinos!” could be heard over rush hour traffic at the intersection of the apartment complex where Jaden Michaca was killed.

Michaca was only 15 years old when SAPD officers shot him to death the night of June 14. Early reports from the department offer no details of the officer-involved shooting but justified the officer’s actions by stating that the “suspect” had a knife and was under the influence when they responded to a domestic call. Community members immediately called out SAPD’s statements online and in person, condemning the department for the killing and advocating for stronger community oversight of the department.

David Pulido, a member of CSO OC, opened the event with “We’ve seen enough of these police statements and met enough of their victims to know that we should not trust the police! They criminalize the victim by focusing on drug use and property damage to mark them for death!”

A school counselor who knew Jaden Michaca attended the protest and countered early attempts by police to paint him as a criminal. She stated Michaca “had the biggest heart of any kid I’ve worked with, he was sweet and kind, but he happened to be in a body that looked a little bit older, and that of a Chicano male. I can’t deny that that was a factor in what happened.” Michaca’s death is one of many cases of Chicanos being killed by police across Orange County, including three teenage police shooting victims in the last seven months.

The protesters waved signs that demanded justice for the victim, including others that read “Release the names! Release the tapes!” They demanded the immediate publication of all unedited body camera footage, the full autopsy report, and the names of the officers who killed Michaca.

Attendees marched around the intersection of South Main and West Macarthur Boulevard, chanting “Jail killer cops!” while people driving by honked in support. A white cross decorated with fresh flowers and handwritten messages from the family had been set up near the intersection earlier that week to honor Jaden Michaca’s life.

Family members of Albert Arzola, a 19-year-old killed by Anaheim Police Department (APD) in December 2025, attended to show their support for Jaden Michaca’s family. Albert’s sister Pearl Arzola emphasized, “Jaden Michaca was a young kid, and instead of de-escalating the situation, the cops chose more violence! We need more accountability over Santa Ana PD, a young 15-year-old boy should not die because cops are trigger-happy.”

“I don’t know if you saw that the mayor of Santa Ana, she brushed this shooting off like it was nothing. What the fuck?” yelled CSO OC member Luis Herrera. The community booed and responded “Shame!” He then encouraged the crowd, “We need to unite and organize ourselves to fight for justice, because only through organized struggle can we win community control of the police!”

Abe Quintana of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) brought a historical perspective, stating “We know that there is a long history of racist police killings and violence that targets Chicano communities and immigrants from Mexico and Central and South America. The racism and exploitation we experience exist because they are rooted in the oppression of Aztlan, so we need to fight for our self-determination!”

CSO OC organized the protest, which was also attended by PSL, members of Union Del barrio (UDB), and community members who knew Jaden Michaca. CSO is a grassroots, working-class organization that fights for community control of the police and legalization for all the undocumented. They hold general meetings every third Thursday in Santa Ana and can be reached on Instagram @cso.oc or on Facebook, CSO Orange County. Their police crimes hotline is 714-367-6350.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #OrangeCounty #CSOOC #JadenMichaca #OppressedNationalities #InjusticeSystem