Police identify O.C. man fatally shot amid mental health crisis

July 23, 2026 - 11:07

A 20-year-old man who was fatally shot by Irvine police officers while experiencing a mental health crisis has been identified as Daniel Alfons Meltvedt, a resident of Irvine, authorities confirmed Wednesday.

According to officials, Meltvedt called the Irvine Police Department on the evening of the incident, reporting that he was having a mental health emergency. When officers arrived at the scene, they encountered Meltvedt, who was reportedly armed. Police say they attempted to de-escalate the situation, but the encounter turned deadly when Meltvedt allegedly raised a weapon. Officers opened fire, striking him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Orange County District Attorney's Office is investigating the shooting, which is standard protocol for officer-involved incidents. No officers were injured during the confrontation.

Family members have expressed grief and are calling for transparency in the investigation. They described Meltvedt as a young man who had been struggling with his mental health and had reached out for help. The incident has reignited discussions in the community about how law enforcement handles mental health calls, with some advocates urging for more specialized crisis response teams.

Irvine police have not released the names of the officers involved, citing the ongoing investigation. The department has offered condolences to the family and stated it is cooperating fully with the probe.