The family of a South LA man who was fatally shot last year by LAPD officers filed a lawsuit Monday against the city alleging deadly force was used when it was not necessary.
A week after the death, the LAPD issued its version of events. According to the department, on Dec. 18 around 7 p.m., officers from the Newton Division responded to a radio call of a man armed with a knife in the 900 block of East Adams Boulevard, between Central Avenue and San Pedro Street.
When the officers arrived, they saw Lopez, armed with a butcher knife. Lopez was ordered to drop the knife, however, he ignored the officer's commands, according to LAPD. The department reported that an officer fired a foam projectile at Lopez, which was ineffective. Lopez continued in the direction of the officers, still ignoring the officer's commands to drop the knife, according to LAPD. At that time, a second foam projectile was fired, followed by the officer-involved shooting. Lopez was struck by gunfire and fell to the ground. Los Angeles Fire Department personnel took Lopez to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to the LAPD's statement.The Lopez family's lawsuit alleges that Lopez was having a mental health crisis when his sister contacted 911 to request assistance. Officers arrived on scene at 7 p.m. to find Lopez on the steps of the apartment building with a knife in his hand. LAPD officers remained at a safe distance away behind their squad cars with guns"fixated'' on Lopez, according to the plaintiffs. After yelling at him and shooting less-than-lethal rounds at him for several minutes, Lopez stood up and started to turn around when officers fired four live rounds, killing Lopez instantly, the man's family alleges.
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