Gabriel Eduardo Olivas

How they died

Less-than-lethal force

Gabriel Olivas doused himself in gasoline and told his wife and son he was going to kill himself. Olivas' son called police, who showed up at the home and reportedly established they were to use non-lethal force. Family members pointed police to the back bedroom. The room was dark and chaotic--Olivas dumped more gasoline on himself as Officer Caleb Elliot sprayed him with pepper spray and reportedly shouted, "If we tase him, he is going to light on fire." Seconds later, the other two officers in the room, Ebony Jefferson and Jeremias Guadarrama, used their Taser stun guns on Olivas, according to a lawsuit. He burst into flames and died days later.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Gabriel Eduardo Olivas, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources