Family sues in black man’s shooting

The children of a black man gunned down by a white police officer in Louisiana’s capital sued the city on Tuesday, claiming the shooting fit a pattern of racist behaviour and excessive force by its police department.

Attorneys for Alton Sterling’s five children filed the wrongful death lawsuit in state court against the city of Baton Rouge, its police department and police chief and the two officers involved in last summer’s deadly encounter. Officer Blane Salamoni shot Sterling six times during a struggle outside a convenience store where the 37-year-old black man was selling homemade CDs.

The Justice Department investigated Sterling’s shooting and announced last month that it will not file charges against Salamoni or Officer Howie Lake II, who also wrestled Sterling to the ground but didn’t fire his gun. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry’s office has opened its own review of the case to determine if any state criminal charges are warranted.

The family’s lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, claims Sterling’s shooting was the product of poor training and inadequate police procedures. The suit also cites two instances in which Baton Rouge police officers allegedly sent racist text messages to colleagues, including an apparent slur against people who protested Sterling’s death.

Plaintiffs’ attorney L. Chris Stewart said he expects current and former police officers to come forward, testify under oath and back up “everything” alleged in the suit.

Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Don Coppola, a department spokesman, said Tuesday he can’t comment on pending litigation.