*A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy fatally shot a domestic violence victim who called 911 seeking help.
The woman, 27-year-old Niani Finlayson, called 911 to report that “her boyfriend would not leave her alone and then screaming and sounds of a struggle could be heard”, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) said in a statement, The Guardian reports.
The family’s attorney said Finlayson was inside her apartment in Lancaster with her nine-year-old daughter when her ex-boyfriend injured her. When deputies arrived, they could hear screaming, LASD said.
LASD claims Deputy Ty Shelton opened fire because Finlayson had a knife and was threatening her boyfriend.
Niani Finlayson, a Black 27-year-old mother of two, was shot and killed by a Los Angeles county sheriff’s deputy after calling 911 to report that she was being attacked by her ex-boyfriend. The deputy killed another person in similar circumstances three years ago.
Niani’s… pic.twitter.com/3U95WEQTsE
— Moms Demand Action (@MomsDemand) December 22, 2023
The family disputes the official police account, saying the mother of two was a victim of domestic violence who posed no threat to the officers.
Finlayson’s daughter Xaisha witnessed the shooting and told reporters at a press conference Thursday that “police lied that my mom was threatening them.”
LASD has thus far refused to release footage from the body camera.
According to The Guardian, Shelton killed another person in a similar incident three years ago.
“She was my best friend. She was always there for me. It’s unbelievable that she’s gone and she’s not coming back. I miss my mom,” Xaisha said at the press conference, The Guardian reports.
The family is calling for Shelton to be prosecuted.
“You have someone who is calling the police for help, and she gets killed by the police who she’s asking for assistance,” said Bradley Gage, the family’s attorney. “If you call the police for help, you think the officers are going to protect and serve you. You don’t expect them to hunt and kill you.”
Finlayson’s family launched a fundraiser and filed a legal claim against the county and sheriff’s department, alleging wrongful death, assault, and civil rights violations, per The Guardian.
An investigation into the shooting is reportedly underway.
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The LASD said the body-camera footage will be released next week.
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