LOS ANGELES — A family is pursuing legal action against the Los Angeles Police Department and the City of Los Angeles following an incident that left their 16-year-old son severely injured. The lawsuit claims police intentionally struck the teen’s motorbike with a patrol vehicle, leading to significant physical harm.
The events unfolded in February near LAPD headquarters, close to Grand and Washington Avenue. K.W., the injured youth, was riding his motorbike with friends when the patrol car collided with him. According to family attorneys, the police did not activate sirens or issue commands for him to stop before the collision.
Attorneys for the family, including prominent civil rights advocate Ben Crump, held a press conference outside the Los Angeles Federal Courthouse, advocating for justice on behalf of K.W. “This never should have happened,” Crump stated, highlighting the necessity for accountability in law enforcement actions involving minors.
The complaint details allegations of excessive force, assault, and negligence, asserting that K.W. experienced life-threatening injuries, facial trauma, multiple fractures, and damage to his organs as a result of the incident. His mother, Shalayla Thompson, described her shock upon learning of her son’s injuries. She recounted receiving a call from a nurse informing her that K.W. was attempting to reach her from the hospital, where he had been admitted with a grave prognosis.
Thompson expressed her distress, sharing that doctors indicated a mere 20% chance of survival due to severe internal bleeding. “I was finally able to hold my son, see my son,” she said, reflecting on the harrowing experience.
In pursuit of transparency, the family’s legal team has requested that the LAPD release any available dashcam or body camera footage associated with the incident. Crump emphasized the broader implications of the case, urging the public to recognize that accountability is essential in preventing similar cases in the future. “If we don’t hold them accountable, the next time it could be your son,” he cautioned.
Attempts to obtain official comments from the LAPD regarding the lawsuit have been met with silence, as the department does not discuss ongoing legal matters.
The family’s legal action unfolds as scrutiny on law enforcement practices continues to grow, particularly surrounding the use of force within minority communities. As the case progresses, it raises significant questions about police accountability and the treatment of vulnerable populations in urban environments.
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