A family in Pasadena, California is seeking a wrongful death claim against the city of Pasadena. The lawsuit claims that in February a Pasadena police officer wrongfully shot their loved one, Leroy Barnes, during a routine traffic stop. The details of the shooting and the autopsy have been withheld from public access for investigation and court purposes.
The general overview of the shooting is that Barnes, a previous offender, was a passenger in a car with a negligent driver who was being reckless and driving on the wrong side of the street. Reports say that Pasadena Police officers pulled the vehicle over, probably with intentions of preventing a potential car accident. The reports are not clear, but maybe in an attempt to arrest Barnes, somehow he and the arresting officer got into an argument that turned physical. Somewhere in the struggle Barnes was shot several times, and killed by the police officers.
The primary issues in this wrongful death claim focus the inconsistencies in the statements made by the Pasadena Police Department (PPD). The family claims that these inconsistencies prove negligence on the part of the officers to exercise caution in using their weapons. In addition to a lack of caution, a deliberate intention on the police officer's part to shoot and kill Barnes is implied by all of the inconsistent testimonies by the Police Officers involved in the fatal shooting. One article reports that the family claims that Barnes was "executed" by the police and witnesses testify to seeing the police officers shoot Barnes while he was face down and clearly not a threat to them.
This is not a case of a criminal resisting arrest, and even opening fire on police. This is not even a case of self-defense for the Pasadena Police Department (PPD). This is a case of police brutality, and as the result of the PPD, Leroy Barnes has suffered a wrongful death, and his family is now mourning the death of a child and loved one. Barnes may have been a convicted criminal in the past, but that is no justification for any police officer to take the law into their own hands.
Have you, or someone that you know been involved in a situation that involved negligence on the part of the Pasadena, Burbank, or Glendale police department? Maybe you have been the victim of police brutality and critically injured as the result. You may have reason to bring a lawsuit against the city of Pasadena or The PPD for police brutality, negligence, or even a wrongful death claim for your loved one who has died. Contact one of our Pasadena Personal Injury Attorney's today. We offer free, confidential consultation for your convenience.
