Shooting victim's family seeks millions
Assaf Deri’s family contends he was shot dead by Burbank police officers because of his Middle Eastern appearance
LOS ANGELES - A family of a man shot by police has filed a USD 51 million wrongful death claim against the Burbank Police Department, alleging the man was killed because of his Middle Eastern appearance.
The claim, which is a precursor to a lawsuit, was filed June 24 on behalf of the family of Assaf Deri, whose parents live in Israel.
Deri, 25, was shot and killed by undercover officers last year after his vehicle was boxed in by police in an alley, the claim said.
The claim alleged that Deri, who was Jewish, was killed because of his appearance and because he was perceived to be Muslim.
The Burbank city attorney's office did not immediately return a phone call Friday seeking comment.
Police officials previously have said that officers opened fire after Deri drove his car into narcotics Detective Scott Meadows, who was treated and released from a hospital.
Fruitless search?
An internal investigation was conducted and Burbank police in March decided the shooting by Meadows and Sgt. Jose Duran was within department policy. Deri was under surveillance as part of a narcotics investigation, police said.
The claim, however, said that Deri had no prior criminal record, was not engaging in illegal or suspicious behavior at the time of the incident and also wasn't under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The claim also alleged that police tried to justify the killing by conducting a "Fruitless search" without probable cause for contraband at Deri's home. Deri's parents, father Pinchas and mother Yehudit, live in Israel and missed the standard six-month deadline to file a claim.
Their lawyers said they were told by police that they should not take any action until after an internal investigation and district attorney's probe were completed in eight months to a year.
After consulting with an attorney in June, the claim was filed along with an application to extend the deadline by six months.
"Everyone involved in trying to sweep this heinous crime under the table needs to stand up and be accountable to the Deri family," family attorney Browne Greene said.
"We will do everything in our power to see that they have their day in court and that justice is served.”
The Los Angeles Police Department also was named in the claim because its officers allegedly were at the scene.
Undercover officers boxed Deri's car in an alley
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