Mena
Mena v. City of Simi Valley
Opinion
Lead Opinion
Trott, J.
City of Simi Valley Police Chief Randy' G. Adams and several police officers (collectively “Defendants”) appeal the district court’s denial of their motion for summary judgment based on qualified immunity. Defendants argue that the district court erred by failing to determine whether, under the clearly established law, the officers reasonably could have believed their conduct in obtaining and executing a search warrant for the residence of Jose and Iris Mena (collectively “Plaintiffs”) and in detaining Iris Mena was lawful. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and, we AFFIRM in part, REVERSE in part, and REMAND to the district court.
I
BACKGROUND
On January 13, 1998, Officers Darin L. Muehler (“Muehler”) and Robert Brill (“Brill”) of the Simi Valley Police Department (“SVPD”) responded to and began investigating a gang-related drive-by shooting in Simi Valley. During their investigation, Officers Muehler and Brill learned that their primary suspect, Raymond Romero, was in possession of a .25 caliber handgun used in the shooting.
In addition, Raymond’s brother, Anthony, told Officers Muehler and Brill that Raymond Romero lived on Patricia Avenue in a “poor house,”…