Family sues LA sheriff’s department after fatal shooting

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The family of a 22-year-old man shot and killed by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies last year has filed a lawsuit alleging unreasonable and excessive force.

Carmelo Pizarro Jr.’s parents, his daughter and his daughter’s mother say Pizarro was unarmed when deputies opened fire following a pursuit in Pico Rivera last July. Sheriff’s officials said at the time that Pizarro had a handgun that he disposed of while he ran.

The wrongful death lawsuit filed this week seeks an unspecified amount in damages.

The LA County Sheriff’s Department did not immediately respond Thursday to a request for comment by the Los Angeles Times .

The department said last year that deputies suspected Pizarro was driving drunk and he sped away when they tried to pull him over. The car eventually crashed and Pizarro ran from deputies.