The family of a man killed by Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers are suing the city for $20 million, after the victim's father saw the shooting unfold live on television. The lawsuit alleges wrongful death.
Police began pursuing Brian Beaird in December 2013, for alleged reckless driving. According to the Associated Press (AP), the nearly hour-long nighttime pursuit ended when Beaird crashed his Corvette into another car and then spun around on a sidewalk in downtown L.A. The driver of the other car was seriously injured. The 51-year-old veteran, who was unarmed, then stepped out of his car and raised his hands. That's when LAPD officers fired multiple shots, fatally wounding Beaird.
"Either the policies and procedures of the L.A. Police Department are seriously flawed with them that allowed this to happen," John Beaird, Brian's brother, told local news affiliate ABC 7. "Or these officers thought it was OK to execute an unarmed citizen in the street."
Beaird's father Billy saw the shooting broadcast live on a local TV news station. Shortly after, a friend of the family told local TV news affiliate NBC 4 that Beaird suffered from paranoid schizophrenia, and needed help rather than lethal force.
The Beaird family's lawsuit reportedly alleges that the LAPD officers who shot Brian were inadequately trained, committed battery and negligence and used excessive force.
If you have lost a loved one because of the recklessness or negligence of an individual or department, it may be within your legal rights to file a civil lawsuit and seek damages on behalf of your loved one. Contact Kansas City attorneys like the legal professionals at Meyers Law Firm for an initial consultation.