The father of a man fatally shot by Torrance police in 2017 is suing the city for wrongful death, alleging his son was shot more than 20 times at the end of a vehicle pursuit even though he posed no threat.
Victor Reyes' Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit also alleges battery civil rights violations in the killing of his offspring, 44-year-old Michael Lopez of San Gabriel. The complaint was brought Nov. 9 and seeks unspecified damages.
A representative for the Torrance City Attorney's Office could not be immediately reached for comment.
Lopez, who was unarmed, died on Oct. 14, 2017, after being shot in the 2800 block of Sepulveda Boulevard after police used a PIT maneuver to end a slow-speed pursuit, the suit states.
While the chase was in progress, Lopez did not hit any pedestrians or vehicles, nor did he present any imminent danger to anyone, the suit states.
The suit alleges officers used excessive force by shooting Lopez at least 23 times. The complaint further accuses the city and Police Chief Eve Irvine of failing to properly train the officers on how to use proper levels of force as well as condoning the filing of false police reports and the planting of evidence to cover up misconduct.
