Hostage in Calif. bank robbery sues city for injuries

STOCKTON, Calif. - A woman who survived a deadly bank robbery and hostage situation in Stockton, Calif. last summer is seeking $500,000 from the city.

An attorney for Kelly Huber filed a claim last week blaming police for escalating the robbery that turned into an hour-long chase and shootout with officers.

"They (the robbers) would've left without Kelly, without anyone else, had the police not confronted them," said attorney Michael Dyer, according to CBS Sacramento.

On July 16, 2014, three armed men entered a Bank of the West branch, taking three hostages, including Huber and Misty Holt-Singh.

The armed men ultimately fled the bank in an SUV driven by Huber. The two other hostages were also in the vehicle. A chase ensued and at one point, the SUV hit a bump and one of the suspect's guns went off, accidentally hitting Huber, according to Dyer.

Dyer says Huber was severely injured.

Holt-Singh ultimately died in a spray of bullets fired by police. The third hostage was injured and two of the robbery suspects died.

Holt-Singh's relatives say they're also preparing a claim, the first step before filing a lawsuit. They say the city refuses to accept responsibility for the officers' actions.

Police spokesman Joseph Silva declined comment.

Stockton Police Chief Eric Jones has previously said that his officers reacted that day according to the constantly changing actions of unpredictable suspects, according to CBS Sacramento.