Michael Pinon, 38, Died in Tulare County Police Shooting After Officers Mistook Cellphone for Weapon
TULARE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA (May 21, 2026) – A 38-year-old father identified as Michael Pinon has tragically died in a Tulare County police shooting at a home by Matheny Avenue and Prine Drive.
Tulare County officials are saying that the shooting took place on Wednesday morning. Tulare County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at the home to perform a wellness check after getting reports of a possible fight.
When deputies arrived at the home, they made contact with Michael Pinon. They asked him to exit the home, but he apparently went to the back of the home.
At some point, he raised his hands while holding onto his cellphone. Officers mistook his cellphone for a weapon and opened fire.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the shooting to help the victim. Sadly, Michael Pinon later died from his injuries.
He is survived by several children. A full investigation into the shooting remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Tulare County Police Shootings
The ability to use lethal force is one of the most consequential powers that police officers hold. It must be exercised with great care. According to California 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. The Legislature further finds and declares that every person has a right to be free from excessive use of force by officers acting under color of law.” There are many actions that police officers should take to avoid shooting suspects.
- Distance: Police officers should maintain plenty of distance when they are approaching any situation. They should avoid rushing in.
- Clear Commands: Police officers should issue clear commands in a calm voice. This can help de-escalate the encounter and lower the risk of a lethal outcome.
- Backup: Police officers should request specialized units for backup if time allows this to occur. This is particularly important for suspects who may be in the midst of a mental health crisis.
- Less-Lethal: Police officers should make use of less-lethal options like tasers before resorting to using their firearms.
If a police officer uses excessive force and kills a suspect, the department that they work for could be liable for that action through a civil rights claim. A number of police departments have faced lawsuits after killing unarmed suspects. Consider, for example, Clark v. City of Sacramento. Police officers arrived at a home and encountered 22-year-old Stephon Clark. Officers opened fire and shot him approximately 20 times after mistaking the cell phone that he was holding for a weapon. Attorneys for the plaintiff pursued a civil rights lawsuit and argued that officers used excessive force and committed civil rights violations under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
Steps to Take After Tulare County Police Brutality
Police brutality and excessive force remain alarmingly common across California and the United States. According to the Law Enforcement Epidemiology Project, “In the U.S. during a given year, an estimated 1 million civilians experience police threat of or use of force resulting in a conservative estimate of 75,000 non-fatal injuries requiring hospital treatment and 600-1100 deaths.” It is important that certain actions are taken after any Tulare County police shooting.
- Pre-Shooting Decisions: The actions of police officers leading up to the encounter should be investigated.
- Body Camera Footage: Police officers in California are required to have body cameras. All of the footage that captures any encounter should be collected.
- Medical Records: All of the medical records related to the incident should be sought.
- Eyewitnesses: Any person who may have witnessed the encounter should be interviewed as early as possible while their memories are still fresh.
- Independent Review: The family of any person who died in a police shooting should seek an independent review by a team experienced in constitutional law.
Police officers are routinely placed in very stressful situations. They are supposed to be trained to remain calm under pressure. But in far too many situations, this does not take place. Certain officers are more prone to overreacting and operating on emotion. Victims of police brutality are protected by a number of rights. These rights extend to the surviving family members of any person killed in a police shooting. They are able to hold the law enforcement perpetrators accountable through a civil action.
Investigating Tulare County Police Shootings
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Michael Pinon. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. Many different questions remain unanswered at this time. Do any of these officers involved have a history of misconduct? Have they been disciplined for using excessive force in the past?
Do you need more information about a Tulare County police shooting? Our team of civil rights advocates is here for you. We care deeply that victims of police brutality are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected through skilled advocacy. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here to serve your need. You can reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
