According to the report, officers at the scene spoke to 3 male complainants who alleged that 3 subjects approached them and began to argue with them and that a scuffle between two individuals had occurred with them ending up on the ground.

The complainants reported that one of the subjects wearing a blue shirt brandished a firearm from his waist band and pointed it at them.

The subjects identified included long time and well-respected peace officer Rene Cardona and his brothers Javier and Eric Cardona. The complainants in the incident were identified as 19 year old Alvaro Fernandez, Julian Vasquez Jr., 19 yrs. and Angel Andres Miranda, 19 yrs. Officer Cardona told responding officers that his younger brother Eric had in fact pulled out a gun. They further stated that he did it out of fear for their lives as they were assaulted by 4 individuals.

Another complainant identified as 22 year old Michael Zabdi Santillano alleges that as he drove by the subjects (Cardona’s) they yelled at him and one of them even smacked his White 2010 Ford Mustang. Santillano further claims that when he returned he was approached by the subjects and threatened and at some point thrown to the floor by one of them. The subject allegedly got on top of him (Santillano) and told him he had a pistol and lifted his shirt to show it to him.

Santillano then went to get a group of friends and started taunting the subject to pull the weapon out on him again which the subject supposedly did so.

The subjects allege that the complainant (Santillano) had almost hit Rene Cardona with his vehicle and that Rene had smacked the car to get the drivers attention.

Both parties opted not to file any charges at that time but asked for a report to be made for future reference.

Alcohol is believed to have been a contributing factor for some of the actions during this incident.

EPPD Lieutenant Aldo Escamilla has confirmed that there is an ongoing internal and criminal investigation being conducted on the matter.

Escamilla stated that the criminal investigation is being done to determine the details in the incident and what charges could be brought against the subject(s), if any. Officer Cardona has been reassigned for the time being until a proper review and internal investigation into his role in the matter is concluded, presented to the proper channels for determination of action to be taken, or his duties and responsibilities with the department restored.