Alton Sterling's Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Photo by Jonathan Bachman for Reuters

Alton Sterling's family has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

In a report from the Associated Press, attorneys for Sterling's five children plan to file the suit against Baton Rouge, its police department and police chief and the two officers involved in the altercation with Sterling. The family's lawsuit claims that the shooting "fit a pattern of racist behavior and excessive force by its police force," and "was the product of poor training and inadequate police procedures."

A couple of months back the U.S. Justice Department concluded there was not enough evidence to bring charges against Blane Salamoni, the officer who shot Sterling six times, and Howie Lake II, another officer who also wrestled Sterling to the ground but didn't fire his gun.

READ: Justice Department Won't Charge Officers Who Killed Alton Sterling

Alongside the lawsuit from Sterling's family Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry's office has opened its own review of the case to determine if any state criminal charges are warranted.

Recently, Philando Castile's family reached a $3 million settlement with the city of St. Anthony, Minnesota. The money will be paid to Philando’s mother Valerie Castile, who is the trustee for her family in the case. The money will come from the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust, which holds the insurance policy for the city of St. Anthony, but only after the settlement is approved by a state court.

READ: Philando Castile's Family Reaches $3 Million Settlement Over His Death

Glenda Hatchett and Robert Bennett, Valerie’s attorneys, said the idea behind the settlement was to move quickly rather than have the case drawn out in federal court, a process that would "exacerbate and reopen terrible wounds."

Source: apnews.com