San Bernardino County Sheriff's sued after deputy shoots at family who called 911

An Apple Valley family who called 911 during an apparent burglary sued the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department after a deputy shot one of their loved ones last year.

"They almost took my son's life," mother Tamara Brown said. "I thank God every day that my son's still here with me."

In a statement, deputies described the information in Tamara Brown's lawsuit as "inaccurate." 

"The information outlined in the lawsuit and presented by the family and attorney is inaccurate, does not reflect the totality of the circumstances known to the deputy at the time of the incident nor does it include all of the evidence collected by investigators during the investigation," the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department wrote.

In their federal lawsuit, attorneys for Tamara Brown and her family said she called 911 on Feb. 24, 2025, after confusing her husband for an intruder trying to break into their home. 

Security camera video from the family's home shows a deputy, whom the family attorney identified as Jose Guzman, arriving at the Apple Valley home. Guzman knocks on the door, then goes behind a pillar. 

After talking with the 911 operator, the family ran out the front door.

"The 911 dispatcher advised her it is safe to exit your home," said DEnisse Gastélum, the family's attorney. "Ms. Brown informed them, there's five of us, including two small children. The 911 dispatcher assured her to walk outside her home because it was safe."

The surveillance video shows the family running out the front door, with 18-year-old Elijah Brown a few steps behind his siblings with a knife in his hand. Deputy Guzman fired and struck the teen three times in the chest and stomach. 

"My son wasn't even out the door yet, and he starts shooting. He didn't know who he was."  Tamara Brown said. 

Elijah Brown survived and joined his family during the Wednesday morning press conference. 

"He could've been dead," Tamara Brown said. "He was almost dead."  

The lawsuit claims Elijah Brown had the knife for protection and was not running toward Guzman but to safety. 

The family is now suing, in part, for monetary damages, disciplinary action against the deputy, and more departmental training. 

"If somebody called him out, that's what they should come out to make sure that we're safe," Tamara Brown said. "That's what they should have [done], but they didn't do that."

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said it has completed its investigation and has submitted the case to the District Attorney's Office in February 2026. Prosecutors said they are reviewing it. 

"The Sheriff's Department maintains that the deputy's actions were lawful and consistent with department policy and training," deputies wrote. "Due to pending litigation, we are limited in what we can discuss publicly. The Department welcomes the opportunity to present the facts of the case in court."