Family of Teen Killed by LAPD Announces $120M Lawsuit

The lawyer for the family of Abdul Arian plans to announce a lawsuit against LA and its police department

The family of a teenager fatally shot by Los Angeles police after a freeway chase plans on Monday to file a lawsuit against the city and police department seeking $120 million, the attorney said.

Abdul Arian was fatally shot by police after a freeway chase and confrontation April 11 in which the unarmed 19-year-old claimed he had a gun.

Jeffrey M. Galen, a lawyer for Arian's family, plans to announce the lawsuit at a press conference on Monday outside federal court in downtown Los Angeles. The lawsuit names the city of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Police Department and Chief Charlie Beck.

The news comes as the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Department released Abdul’s autopsy report that shows that police shot the teen eight times, including in the back, Galen said. The toxicology report, Galen said, shows no evidence of alcohol or narcotics in Arian's system.

"The report is further proof and a clear piece of evidence showing the use of unnecessary, brutal, excessive police force," Galen said in a press release. "Mr. Arian was shot to death just a few hundred yards away from many major Southern Californian business and retail shopping centers."

Stray bullets were found embedded in nearby trees and office buildings, including in several cars at a Porsche dealership, Galen said.

Arian had called 911 during the pursuit and told the dispatcher that he had a gun and planned to hurt police.

During the 911 call, Arian said, "I have a gun," and "If they pull their guns, I’m going to have to pull my gun out on them."

Police later confirmed that Arian did not have a weapon on his person when he was shot. The family contends in the lawsuit that police should have known he was holding a cell phone, not a gun.

The lengthy 911 call occurred as the man led officers through the west San Fernando Valley before he stopped his car across two lanes on the eastbound 101 Freeway near Canoga Avenue.

Follow NBCLA for the latest LA news, events and entertainment: iPhone/iPad App | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Instagram | RSS | Text Alerts | Email Alerts

Contact Us