The California Attorney General's AB 1506 independent review of the Feb. 10, 2023 officer-involved shooting death of Austin Heiselman in Fullerton has concluded. The California Department of Justice released its report on Aug. 14, 2026, declining to bring criminal charges against the involved Fullerton Police Department officers. No new evidence or public statements have emerged since Aug. 17, 2026.

According to the DOJ report, Fullerton officers initially spotted a vehicle flagged in connection with an armed robbery. Heiselman fled, displaying what appeared to be a handgun from the driver's window during the pursuit. He crashed at Beach Blvd. and Imperial Hwy. in La Habra, then ran on foot, ignored commands, and raised his hands in what officers perceived as a shooting stance before they fired. Two firearms later recovered from his vehicle were identified as a blank-firing replica pistol and a Glock airsoft gun — neither a live-fire weapon.

DOJ concluded there was insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the officers acted without a reasonable belief they faced imminent death or great bodily injury. OC Register reporting adds that Heiselman told his father during the pursuit that he wanted "suicide by cop," and his father called La Habra PD.

The report issued four policy recommendations to Fullerton PD:

1. Develop policy and training for high-risk felony stops, including guidance on engaging noncompliant or fleeing suspects.
2. Amend the vehicle-pursuit policy to further leverage air support when feasible.
3. Expand canine-handler training on when to call off a bite, and on legal standards for force against unconscious or incapacitated individuals.
4. Post the current policy manual online as required by state law.

As of Aug. 17, 2026 — the last date of available evidence — Fullerton PD had made no public response to the recommendations, and no statement from Heiselman's family or legal representatives had been reported.

The DOJ's declination closes the state criminal review. Any potential civil litigation or separate administrative review of the officers' conduct is not addressed by the AB 1506 report and has not been reported in available evidence.