Willie Blair, 34, Died After Being Tasered and Taken into Police Custody by San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputies Along Lindero Street in Victorville
VICTORVILLE, CALIFORNIA (July 7, 2026) – A 34-year-old man identified as Willie Blair has tragically died in Victorville after being chased by police officers on Lindero Street.
San Bernardino County officials are saying that the incident occurred around 7:45 PM on Sunday. Authorities received reports about some sort of domestic incident.
They arrived at the home and encountered Willie Blair, who was sitting in the driveway of the home. Investigators claim that he became uncooperative and advanced towards one of the deputies.
It was at this point that an officer deployed their taser. At some point during the incident, Willie Blair was transported to the hospital to receive treatment.
Unfortunately, he was later pronounced dead at the hospital. A full investigation into the incident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Victorville In-Custody Deaths
Police officers have a legal obligation to use the least amount of force necessary for any given encounter. A police department can be liable for the excessive force of one of their officers who kills a suspect. Pursuant to 42 U.S. Code § 1983, every person who, under the color of any statute, law or ordinance, causes a citizen of the United States to be deprived of their rights secured by the constitution, shall be liable to the injured party in an action at law. There are several ways that police officers may have used excessive force in any incident involving a taser.
- No Immediate Threat: A police officer may have chosen to use a taser on a person who did not pose an immediate threat. This includes people who are unarmed or confused.
- Restrained: Police officers may use a taser on someone who was already restrained or only passively noncompliant.
- Repeated Use: A police officer may have continued to taser someone without properly reassessing the situation. This increases the risk of death and serious cardiac events.
- Multiple Tasers: Police officers may have used multiple tasers at the same time. This can also be incredibly dangerous, especially if someone is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
If a police officer fails to follow a safety protocol promulgated by their department, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. There are rules and regulations around the use of tasers. Violating those rules increases the odds that an adverse outcome will take place. Moreover, there are also guidelines related to dealing with any suspect that may be in the midst of a mental health crisis. Officers should avoid rushing into the situation and do everything in their power to de-escalate.
Steps to Take After San Bernardino County In-Custody Deaths
Tasers are often sold to police departments as safe and non-lethal alternatives to firearms. But the fact of the matter is that many people have been killed during police incidents involving tasers. According to one report by Amnesty International, “The deaths of 500 people following police use of Tasers underscores the need for tighter rules limiting the use of such weapons in law enforcement, Amnesty International said. According to data collected by Amnesty International, at least 500 people in the USA have died since 2001 after being shocked with Tasers either during their arrest or while in jail.” Multiple actions should be taken after any person dies following police use of a taser.
- Misconduct Allegations: It should be determined if the officer involved has been the subject of any misconduct allegations. In many different situations, officers that kill or seriously injure a suspect have had numerous complaints about them related to excessive force.
- Medical Records: All of the medical records related to the incident should be collected and carefully preserved. These can help reveal the exact cause of any person’s death.
- Body Cameras: Body camera footage from all of the officers that responded to the scene should be carefully reviewed.
- Independent Review: The police will nearly always find that their officers did nothing wrong if a suspect dies in their care. Family members should request an independent review by a team experienced in excessive force claims.
Deaths in police custody tend to be highly preventable. They often involve officers who are either unwilling or unable to properly de-escalate an encounter. Police departments will often claim that their officers did nothing wrong if someone dies in their care. But this is often not the case. When evaluating whether or not an officer used excessive force, courts in California will take into consideration all circumstances leading up to the encounter. An officer’s use of force may have been excessive, even if it seemed reasonable in the moment.
Investigating San Bernardino County Police Custody Deaths
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Willie Blair. This was a real tragedy that should have never taken place. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. There needs to be a thorough investigation and accountability for the sake of the victim’s family. Several questions have yet to be answered.
Do you need more information about a San Bernardino County police custody death? Our team of civil rights investigators is here for you. We care deeply that all people in California are aware of their rights and that law enforcement agencies are held to account for their illegal conduct. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into the unique facts of any case, we are here to assist you. You’re always welcome to reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
