Ezell Ford's family plans to sue LAPD over his fatal shooting

Ezell Ford’s family plans to sue LAPD over his fatal shooting

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The Rev. Cecil “Chip” Murray, pastor emeritus at First African Methodist Episcopal Church, center, greets Edsell, left, and Tritobia Ford at the conclusion of the service. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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A liturgical dance presentation titled “The Storm Is Over Now” is performed during the funeral. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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Pallbearers line up at the start of the funeral for Ezell Ford at First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles. Ford, 25, an unarmed black man, was shot by the LAPD on Aug. 11. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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Family and friends gather at First African Methodist Episcopal Church for Ezell Ford’s funeral service. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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A liturgical dance piece titled “The Storm Is Over Now” is performed at the service. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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A comment made several times by speakers at Ford’s funeral was that he was “receiving his scholarship to the university of heaven.” (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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Family members shed tears during the funeral. “This is the breaking point,” Maurice Bull, 46, one of Ford’s cousins, said afterward. “It’s got to stop.” (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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Tritobia Ford emotes before the funeral of her son, Ezell Ford. With Ford’s “passing, it is time for a national conversation,” retired Rep. Diane Watson told the mourners to rousing applause. (Jay L. Clendenin/ Los Angeles Times)

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A family member’s jacket is adorned with remembrances of Ezell Ford. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

By Ruben VivesStaff Writer

Sept. 16, 2014 4:44 PM PT

A lawyer representing the family of a mentally ill man who was shot and killed by two Los Angeles police officers in South L.A. last month said he plans to file a wrongful-death lawsuit against the LAPD.

Attorney Steven Lerman said he plans to release details about the lawsuit during a news conference Wednesday afternoon in downtown Los Angeles.

The announcement comes more than a month after the police shooting of Ezell Ford, 25, who was killed Aug. 11.

Police said gang officers with the Newton Division approached Ford as he was walking home along West 65th Street near Broadway. The department said Ford tackled one of the officers and reached for the officer’s gun, prompting both officers to open fire.

A witness who saw part of the incident told The Times that she saw no struggle.

The shooting is being investigated by the LAPD, the Police Commission’s inspector general and the district attorney’s office.

Ford’s death occurred two days after the police shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. Brown’s death sparked days of violence in Missouri and nationwide scrutiny of police behavior.

By contrast, the protests that followed Ford’s death in Los Angeles have been peaceful.

For more Southern California news follow @LATVives