Qui Ly, 52, Died After Being Restrained by Police Officers in El Cajon
EL CAJON, CALIFORNIA (January 31, 2026) – A 52-year-old Vietnamese man identified as Qui Ly has tragically died after being restrained by police officers in El Cajon.
San Diego County officials are saying that the incident began around 6:00 a.m. on January 4. The El Cajon Police Department received reports about a man who was moving through traffic and asking for help.
When officers arrived at the scene, they encountered Qui Ly. Officers are saying that he was laid face down in the street when they were talking to him.
Officers placed him in handcuffs and called paramedics. At some point during the encounter, Qui Ly became unresponsive.
He was given Narcan and CPR before being transported to the hospital. Sadly, he died at the hospital on January 17. A full investigation into the in-custody death remains ongoing.
Liability for El Cajon In-Custody Deaths
Police officers in California have a legal obligation to use care to avoid needlessly harming any member of the public. According to CA Penal Code § 835a, “the authority to use physical force, conferred on peace officers by this section, is a serious responsibility that shall be exercised judiciously and with respect for human rights and dignity and for the sanctity of every human life.” In particular, there are certain actions that police officers must take if they encounter someone who may be in the midst of a mental health crisis.
- Signs: Police officers should be trained to recognize the signs that a person may be in the midst of a medical or mental health crisis. This could include disorganized speech or extreme agitation.
- De-escalate: Police officers should not rush into encounters with agitated suspects. They should work to de-escalate the encounter and avoid giving any rapid-fire commands.
- Force: Police officers should avoid any type of unnecessary force. Physical force should always be used as an absolute measure of last resort.
- Support: Police officers should bring in specialized support. This can include members of a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT).
Police officers are given a great deal of leeway in how they approach encounters. But at no point are they allowed to use excessive force. If police officers use excessive force and harm a suspect, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. California courts will consider a number of factors when determining whether or not any instance of force by police officers is considered excessive. An officer may have used excessive force by putting a suspect in a prone position for extended periods of time and restricting their breathing.
Steps to Take After San Diego County In-Custody Deaths
A number of people are killed or seriously injured every year in California during encounters with law enforcement. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, “About 195 people die each year from interactions with California law enforcement. Gunshots are by far the most common cause of death: nearly 250 people are shot by police each year.” Several steps should be taken after any person dies in San Diego County law enforcement custody.
- Body Cam Footage: All of the body camera footage from officers involved should be sought and reviewed.
- Medical Records: All medical records related to any person’s injuries or death should be sought. These can help reveal how any death took place. Autopsy reports can reveal a lot.
- Eyewitnesses: Any person that may have witnessed the incident should be interviewed as soon as possible while their memories are still fresh.
- Independent Review: The family of any person who died in custody of law enforcement should seek a constitutional review of the accident with a team experienced in civil rights litigation.
Many in-custody deaths with law enforcement are totally preventable. They tend to involve situations where officers are unable to properly de-escalate encounters. Police encounters with force can be particularly dangerous if any person is suffering through a medical or mental health crisis. Unfortunately, police departments will virtually never accept responsibility if the actions of their officers lead to the death of someone. This is why it is so important that these incidents are properly reviewed by an outside party.
Investigating San Diego County In-Custody Deaths
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Qui Ly. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the investigators. The El Cajon Police Department needs to do the right thing and be transparent about what took place. The facts of the case revealed to the press thus far remain deeply concerning.
Do you need more information about a San Diego County in-custody death? Our team of civil rights advocates is here for you. We are committed to helping people understand their rights and holding law enforcement accountable for their illegal conduct. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
