*The family of Niani Finlayson is taking legal action after she was fatally shot by a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy earlier this month.
We reported previously that Finlayson, 27, called 911 on Dec 4 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. Deputies arrived to hear her screaming from inside the unit, LASD said.
LASD claims Deputy Ty Shelton opened fire because Finlayson had a knife and was threatening her boyfriend.
According to a statement released by the Sheriff’s Department, “Finlayson told deputies she was going to stab her boyfriend for pushing her daughter. Finlayson retreated into the apartment toward the area where her boyfriend was sitting. Deputies entered the apartment, where Finlayson grabbed her boyfriend while holding the knife in an apparent attempt to stab him, and a deputy-involved shooting occurred.”
Finlayson’s daughter Xaisha witnessed the shooting and told reporters at a press conference Thursday that “police lied that my mom was threatening them.”
According to reports, District Attorney George Gascon declined to bring charges against Shelton.
The victim’s family’s attorney filed a $30 million lawsuit against the county. They are 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 family attorney Bradley Gage. “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.”
As we reported previously, 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.
According to The Guardian, Shelton killed another person in a similar incident three years ago.
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