Ombudsman presses investigators on SWAT ETA, negotiators and officer statements

Monique McNeil, the ombudsman appointed to represent the public and the Leon family, conducted extensive questioning of Detective Vega about departmental decisions and timelines.

McNeil asked whether a crisis-intervention-trained officer had contacted Leon and whether SWAT and crisis negotiation teams had an ETA; Vega confirmed SWAT and crisis negotiation were notified but said he could not recall arrival times. McNeil also pressed Vega on the use of rifles and whether the original plan to use a 40mm less-lethal launcher had been put into effect prior to officers' firing.

On the use of rifles, Vega said officers used rifles because they were at greater distance: "a rifle was more accurate at the distance that they were at." McNeil also noted several officers did not provide statements; Vega confirmed none of the shooting officers gave statements to investigators prior to the review.