A Carlsbad security guard faces felony charges after a video showed him shooting a stun gun at point-blank range outside a local venue.
WHAT HAPPENED
It happened outside Park 101 on Carlsbad Boulevard. Around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, a fight broke out. A video shows a shirtless man standing near a guard.
The guard, 42-year-old David Marquez, pulls out a stun gun. He points it inches from the man's face and fires. The man falls to the ground in pain.
People nearby rushed to help the fallen man as he crawled on the concrete. Minutes later, police officers led Marquez away in handcuffs. He now faces two felony assault charges.
What the evidence shows
- The fight happened on Wednesday shortly before 8:30 p.m.
- David Marquez, 42, was booked on two felony charges.
- The victim went to a local trauma center for head injuries.
- Park 101 fired the guard and ended its contract with the guard firm.
- Carlsbad police are actively reviewing video evidence.
THE BIGGER QUESTION
Who protects us from the people hired to protect us? Many bars hire outside firms to handle guards, but these workers do not always have the proper training.
When a guard uses extreme force, it makes us wonder how venues vet the people they put at their doors.
THE OTHER SIDE
Marquez and his lawyer have not yet released a public statement about what led to the fight. Stun gun cases sometimes involve claims of self-defense if a guard feels threatened by an angry crowd.
However, the video shows the guard firing at extremely close range while the man was unarmed, which makes a self-defense claim hard to prove.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW
The victim is getting better, but head injuries from tasers can cause long-term brain issues.
Meanwhile, Park 101 says they are reviewing how they choose and train staff. Local bars may face pressure to change how they handle guests.
WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW
WHAT HAPPENED
right before the camera started filming?
- How badly was the victim hurt by the stun gun?
- Did the guard firm train Marquez on when to use force?
Transparency notes
Published: Jun 26, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
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Sources
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