Family Of Slain Cameroonian File $20M Claim In Deadly Skid Row Shooting
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — The family of a homeless man on Skid Row who was killed in a videotaped confrontation with Los Angeles police officers was expected Thursday to discuss a $20 million claim against the city.
Cameroonian national Charly Leundeu Keunang was killed March 1 by LAPD officers as they attempted to arrest the man on suspicion of robbery.
Other officers at the scene did not fire their guns, according to Associated Press.
Investigators say Keunang became combative, made a grab for the gun of a rookie policeman and was shot by three other officers.
The officers were placed on leave, pending the investigation.
Family members along with their attorneys will hold a news conference outside the LAPD's downtown police headquarters at 100 W. First St. starting at 11:30 a.m., according to a family representative.
In a lawsuit filed Keunang's sister, Line Foming, and their parents, Heleine Tchayou and Isaac Keunang, allege officers used excessive force and triggered a struggle that ended in a "cop-created killing."
The claim against the city says six LAPD officers "attacked Mr. Keunang, Tasing him, tackling him to the concrete and repeatedly striking him with their fists and batons" and then shooting Keunang "six times from point-blank range as they held him down on the sidewalk."
The department said Thursday that Sgt. Chand Syed and Officers Francisco Martinez and Daniel Torres fired their weapons during the March 1 confrontation that erupted as they attempted to arrest the man on suspicion of robbery. Other officers at the scene did not fire their guns.
In March, LAPD officials identified Sgt. Chand Syed and Officers Francisco Martinez and Daniel Torres in the shooting.
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