Case# 20WF1167
MEDIA ADVISORY
WHO: Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer, Huntington Beach Mayor Lyn Semeta, Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates, Huntington Beach Police Chief Robert Handy, and Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Michelle Steel.
WHAT: The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will hold a joint press conference with the City of Huntington Beach and the County of Orange to discuss the investigation into a series of poisonings targeting homeless individuals in the City of Huntington Beach. Homeless individuals were poisoned with food laced with oleoresin capsicum, which is twice as strong as the pepper spray used by police, and their reactions to the poisoned food were filmed. The victims suffered a variety of symptoms including seizure-like symptoms, difficulty breathing, vomiting, and intense mouth and stomach pain. Several of the victims required hospitalization.
This is an ongoing investigation.
WHEN: Monday, June 1, 2020 at 10 a.m. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: Orange County District Attorney’s Office, 401 Civic Center Drive W., Santa Ana, CA 92701, first floor Law Library
A pool camera will be available for broadcast media. The press conference will also be live streamed on Facebook – facebook.com/ocdatoddspitzer
A media call-in line is available for credentialed media and will be provided upon request to media@da.ocgov.com. Reporters are encouraged to call in at 9:50 a.m. to receive instructions on asking questions from the conference line moderator.
Members of the media can attend in person. Social distancing will be in place.