-
- Biden hailed as proven and effective advocate for equality
- Arkansas foster ban proponents submit more petitions
- Tennessee church shooting suspect indicted
- Town backs ex-principal in gay student case
- D.C. hopes needle exchanges curb soaring AIDS rate
- Ore. tribe approves same-sex marriages
- National News Briefs
- World News Briefs
san diego
Autopsy: Male dancer shot by cops had drugs in his system
Fatal gunshot wound came from behind
Published Thursday, 28-Aug-2008 in issue 1079
(AP) – A male dancer who was killed by San Diego Harbor police during a cruise ship party died from a gunshot wound to the back, and the county coroner ruled his death a homicide, according to an autopsy report released Tuesday.
Steven Paul Hirschfield, 37, was shot in the middle of his back, and the bullet exited through his right chest, the San Diego County Office of the Medical Examiner concluded.
Toxicology tests showed traces of methamphetamine, ketamine and doxylamine – an antihistamine ingredient in NyQuil – in Hirschfield’s blood. Investigators found no alcohol or other drugs.
According to court records, Hirschfield was arrested in 2004 for possession of a controlled substance. However, charges were dropped in 2006 after he agreed to an 18-month drug rehabilitation program.
Hirschfield’s family did not provide a medical, surgical or social history for the victim; no past alcohol use or substance abuse was reported by the family either.
Hirschfield, of West Hollywood, was dancing aboard the Inspiration Hornblower yacht chartered for one of the official Pride party cruises – the Circuit Daze Harbor Cruise – on San Diego Bay on July 19 when police say he jumped off the boat.
He was pronounced dead 31 minutes after the yacht’s captain alerted Harbor Police and the Coast Guard, the report said. It also says Hirschfield was shot with a handgun loaded with .40-caliber hollow point bullets.
According to police, Hirschfield jumped from the ship and fought with officers sent on a boat to rescue him. Williams shot him in the chest after Hirschfield reached for another officer’s pistol, police said.
Hirschfield’s family, has repeatedly disputed assertions that Hirschfield was shot in the chest.
Hirschfield’s parents have filed claims seeking $20 million from the Harbor Police and Officer Clyde Williams, who authorities say pulled the trigger.
Their attorney, Brian Claypool, said the autopsy report’s description of the bullet wound suggests Hirschfield was shot at close range. He said the officer could have used a stun gun or baton instead.
“He was unarmed and shot in the back,” Claypool said. “This report corroborates our position – that this was clearly an unjustified use of lethal force. . . . The officer could have just used his baton. He was within six feet of Steven.”
While the cause of death listed on Hirschfield’s death certificate says “gunshot wound of chest,” the county medical examiner’s report confirmed the family’s claims stating the bullet went through Hirschfield’s back and out his upper right chest.
The autopsy report also indicated that police fired a Taser at Hirschfield moments before he was killed. A yellow Taser disc was found in Hirschfield’s groin area during the autopsy.
“Officers discharged a Taser which apparently missed,” the report said.
The San Diego Unified Port District, which oversees the Harbor Police, will decide soon whether to accept the claim, said spokesman John Gilmore. The officers involved have returned to work and are on administrative duties, he said.
|
|
Copyright © 2003-2025 Uptown Publications
