Lawyers for two teen siblings involved in an altercation with an off-duty LAPD officer filed civil lawsuits against the Anaheim and Los Angeles police departments these days, alleging battery, negligence and state civil rights violations, among other claims.
The lawsuits come the day soon after as a lot of as 300 people demonstrated and at least 23 have been arrested after protests broke out over the altercation. Some vandalism was reported in the demonstrations, according to police.
Police say the off-duty officer fired his weapon into the ground through the scuffle on Tuesday, which was caught on video and spread via social media.
A video of part of the incident appears to show the off-duty officer struggling with a 13-year-old boy, clinging to the boy’s hooded sweatshirt as he tries to get away.
The officer seems to argue with the boy and several other men and women who started gathering around. At 1 point, the officer is shoved over a bush and a individual seems to take a swing at his face.
The officer then draws what seems to be a pistol from his waistband and later reportedly fired a shot into the ground.
“The confrontation began more than ongoing troubles with juveniles walking across the officer’s property,” Anaheim Police Sgt. Daron Wyatt stated in a statement. “In the course of the confrontation, a 13-year-old male is alleged to have threatened to shoot the off-duty officer, at which time the officer attempted to detain the male until [Anaheim police] arrived.”
The boy’s mother, even so, maintained that her son had mentioned he was going to sue, not shoot, the officer.
Police arrested the 13-year-old on charges of criminal threats and battery and a 15-year-old for assault and battery. Both have considering that been released.
Police stated these days they knew of a 2015 report in which the officer had reported youth walking across his lawn. That report Fenomenbet did not involve a physical confrontation or the very same youth, authorities stated.
The officer and the two juveniles arrested have not been named.
The teen siblings who filed suit right now are identified in court papers as John Doe and M.S.
“I personally wish the off-duty officer would have awaited our arrival,” Anaheim Police Chief Raul Quezada mentioned at a press conference now.
“As a father and a police chief, I too am disturbed by what I saw on the videos that have been posted on the internet … Getting mentioned that, as a police chief, I am charged with enforcing the laws absent my individual feelings,” Police Chief Raul Quezada mentioned now. “I thank God that no 1 was hurt.”
Police mentioned they interviewed 18 juveniles just after the incident along with the officer’s father and other individuals and that they have insufficient evidence at this time to prove any criminal wrongdoing by the officer.
Quezada mentioned his division was close to completing its investigation and would presents its findings to the Orange County District Attorney’s Workplace within the next two weeks. Charges could nonetheless be brought against all parties involved, he said.
The step-father of 13-year-old boy is a civilian employee of the Anaheim Police Department, officials stated.
“Like quite a few I am deeply disturbed and angered by the video,” Anaheim mayor Tom Tait mentioned at the press conference, adding that the city was “committed to complete and impartial investigation.”
The officer has been placed on administrative leave, according to assistant Los Angeles Police Chief Michael Moore. The LAPD is conducting a separate investigation into the officer’s actions.
Moore stated the LAPD is looking into the off-duty officer’s choice to initiation action, his reasoning and tactics along with his selection generating.
ABC News’ Robert Zepeda, Kayna Whitworth and Alex Stone contributed to this report.
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