DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The family of a man shot and killed by Los Angeles police has filed a new federal civil rights lawsuit.
Back in May 2024, officers shot 40-year-old Yong Yang multiple times at the family’s home.
On Saturday, his family gathered outside the federal courthouse in downtown L.A., announcing the lawsuit.
The family says on May 2, 2024, they called the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) to seek medical assistance for Yang, who was suffering from a “severe bipolar episode.” They said a DMH clinician called LAPD, and officers forced entry into the home and fatally shot Yang three times.
Police claim Yang was armed with a large kitchen knife when they responded to his home.
Yang’s family says he was in the midst of a mental health crisis, and less-than-lethal options could have been used to de-escalate the situation.
Last year, the L.A. Police Commission voted 5-0, saying the officer who shot and killed Yang, Andres Lopez, acted inappropriately leading up to the shooting. Still, they voted 3-2 that he reasonably believed his life was in danger when he opened fire.
The family’s lawsuit challenges the police response to mental health calls.
“The lawsuit further alleges that the City of Los Angeles maintains an unlawful custom, policy, and practice of forcing entry into individuals’ homes when they are experiencing mental health crises and unreasonably using deadly force against them. The federal lawsuit further alleges that the LAPD has inadequate “de-escalation” training with respect to mental health calls and continues to ratify unlawful killings by its officers,” the family’s attorney, Dale K. Galipo, wrote in a press release. “The lawsuit aims to address these allegations, highlighting the critical need for reform in how law enforcement officials interact with vulnerable individuals, and to spur change in this area.”
“He needed you to escort him to the hospital. Not kill him inside his own parents’ house,” said Yin Yang, the victim’s twin brother. “You guys think like two years is going to make us forget. But look at all these people. We haven’t forgotten. We’re never going to forget. You can drag it out as long as you want, but we’re not going to stop until there’s justice.”
Yang’s family also held a vigil on Saturday to honor the second anniversary of his death. They were joined by other families impacted by similar cases.
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