Geoffrey Stirling Obituary, Death; – The State Attorney General announced on Friday the initiation of an investigation into the deadly shooting of a motorcyclist by officers from the Newport Beach Police Department that occurred late last week.
The incident, which took place on April 18th at approximately 9:15 p.m., involved a 45-year-old motorcyclist identified as Geoffrey Stirling, a resident of Laguna Niguel. Reports indicate that Stirling was stopped by Newport police near Pacific Coast Highway, west of Superior Avenue, although officials did not disclose the reason for the traffic stop.
“During the stop, the male rider, who was the only occupant of the motorcycle, became uncooperative,” officials stated in a news release. “An officer-involved shooting ensued, resulting in injuries to the male.”
Stirling was transported to Hoag Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Currently, there is no indication that the motorcyclist was armed; the only detail provided is that he was “uncooperative.”
According to the Los Angeles Times, Stirling was scheduled for an arraignment hearing on Monday regarding a felony arson charge related to a fire on March 21st. It remains unclear whether this charge was connected to the traffic stop.
The day following the fatal shooting, California State Attorney General Rob Bonta announced in a press release that the California Department of Justice would undertake an independent investigation into the incident involving Newport Beach police.
Additionally, the Newport Beach Police Department is conducting its own investigation and, in accordance with state law, is required to release body camera footage of the incident within 45 days. Officials from the California Department of Justice have urged anyone with information regarding the shooting to contact 916-210-2871.
