MALIBU—Lieutenant James Royal of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department filed a retaliation lawsuit against the LASD, for failure to issue a public-safety-warning at Malibu Creek State Park, before the shooting death of Tristan Beuadette. The lawsuit was announced during a press conference Monday, June, 10.
Tristan Beaudette, 35, of Irvine was fatally shot in the upper body allegedly by Anthony Rauda, 42, while camping in front of his two daughters inside a tent on June 22, 2018. The children, ages two and four at the time were not injured during the shooting.
According to court records, the victim’s family filed three lawsuits for damages against the LASD, California State Parks Police, and the State of Califorina Parks and Recreation Commission on December 21, 2018. Each claim estimates around $30 million.
Lt. Royal’s lawsuit against LASD states several complaints beginning in 2016, when he initially informed his superiors on several occasions to issue a public-safety warning park visitors regarding the random shootings before the death of Tristan Beaudette, in which his fellow officers responded, “It was a state parks problem,” not theirs.
Royal lost his detective status and according to court documents, was forced to commute an additional 80 miles to work, which he believes is an act of retaliation from officers.
The lawsuit further indicated Royal was allegedly instructed during town hall meetings to only communicate LASD messages regarding the shooting death stating,”There was no confirmed connection in the shootings,” despite his personal knowledge.
Canyon News reached out via phone to Deputy James Nagao at the Los Angeles Information Bureau.
“The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department is aware of the lawsuit filed on behalf of Lt. Royal based on the nature of pending litigation and ongoing investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment at the time,” said Nagao to Canyon News.
“We remain committed to our responsibility of insuring the safety of the Los Angeles County residents,” Nagao added.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in January 2019 charged Rauda with 1 count of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and 5 counts of second-degree burglary in connection to a string of burglaries in the Calabasas and Malibu regions starting in November 2016, and the murder of Tristan Beaudette.
Rauda allegedly targeted campers and motorists randomly. He was arrested on October 10, 2018, where his bail was set at $1.1 million. The case is still under investigation.