Family of man killed in deputy-involved shooting in Riverside files federal lawsuit

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) -- The family of a man who was shot and killed by San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies in January 2026, has filed a federal lawsuit alleging wrongdoing in the fatal encounter.

The shooting occurred in a Riverside parking lot as deputies attempted to serve a no-bail warrant on Jaque Rabon, 23, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. Body camera video released from the incident shows deputies pursuing Rabon before opening fire.

Rabon was later pronounced dead.

Barbara Thompson said the family is seeking accountability for the death of her nephew.

"I want justice. I want accountability. I mean, this is wrong," Thompson said.

Rabon's mother, Tyesha Moody, remembered her son as a source of support for the family.

"Jacque was a giver; Jacque was our supporter, he was our ... he was more like my daddy than my son," Moody said.

The family's attorney, Dale Galipo, challenged the circumstances described by authorities and criticized the deputies' use of force.

"Think about this: If anyone other than a police officer showed up at a shopping plaza and shot someone 20 times who was unarmed, they would be immediately jailed, immediately charged with murder, with no bail.

"So why are the laws so different for the police?" Galipo said.

Galipo also disputed the Sheriff's Department's claim that Rabon may have been reaching into a black bag he was wearing for a weapon. No weapon was found.

"The only thing the police are saying is he had a bag and it looked like he was reaching towards the bag," said Galipo. "Well, guess what? Many people have bags when they're shopping or in front of shopping centers, and you can't shoot someone for having a bag or reaching into a bag."

Family members said they continue to struggle with Rabon's loss while seeking answers.

"It hurts not having him, right? But it really hurts for him being done the way he got done," said Kentae Isaiah, Rabon's cousin.

Moody said the lawsuit cannot undo what happened.

"No amount of money or the lawsuit or anything is going to bring him back. But me being able to face the officers that took his life would give me a little comfort," she said.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department is not commenting on the case while it is being investigated by the California Department of Justice because the suspect was unarmed.

The investigation remains ongoing.