Footage of fight between juveniles and paramedic outside Clovis store released
CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- Newly released footage captures a fight that broke out between a paramedic and a group of juveniles at a store in Clovis over the weekend.
The video released by the Clovis Police Department on Friday shows the fight unfolding between Herculano Tucay and the minors around 6 p.m. Sunday at the Target on Shaw and Clovis.
The first video shows security stopping a group of teens from entering the store.
Investigators say the teens were asked to leave.
As the teens exit the store, a man identified as Tucay, who had just entered, turns around and follows them out.
In a second video, Tucay is seen quickly approaching the teen.
"There is no association, he doesn't work for Target, he wasn't asked to assist, and he put himself there, escalated it, and really sort of was the initiator of a conflict that did not need to occur," said Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp.
The teen then shoves Tucay.
In a third angle, the fight spills into the frame with attacks seemingly coming from all directions.
Several bystanders try to intervene and pull the teen and Tucay apart.
The video shows Tucay continuing to attempt to go after the teen even after they are separated.
At the end, Tucay is seen standing, and the teen is left lying on the ground for several minutes.
"In my assessment of this, it was very justifiable self-defense on the part of this young juvenile," Smittcamp said.
Police say both Tucay and the teen were taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
Even though it was the teens who were arrested, ultimately, Smittcamp decided not to press charges.
"There were some differences, shall we say, in the statements that the police received from the parties at the scene versus what was on the actual video surveillance tapes from Target," Smittcamp explained.
"It's our job as prosecutors to determine if we can prove that a crime occurred beyond a reasonable doubt."
Action News legal analyst Tony Capozzi says Smittcamp made the right call.
"When she looks at the evidence on that video and looks at the witness statements, she's making the decision that she knows is going to get criticized either way she goes. So, she just decided I'm going to make what I think is right and this is what I'm going to do, I'm not going to prosecute and from everything I've seen I think she made the right decision," Capozzi said.
Smittcamp says the only way charges would be filed is if more evidence were to come to light.
She says if you were a witness who took video, you should turn it over to the Clovis Police Department.
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