Federal Lawsuit Alleging Wrongful Death and Civil Rights Filed against Ventura Co Sheriff’s Office and CHP

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Photo credit Margaret Carrero

(KNX 1070) - The family of a man who was shot and killed during a standoff on the 101 freeway in Calabasas is suing the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and the CHP.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and CHP have not yet responded to our requests for comment.

UPDATE 4:18 pm: The Ventura Co Sheriff’s Office is reserving comment because they have not received or reviewed the lawsuit.

The Ventura Co Sheriff’s Office is reserving comment because they have not received or reviewed the lawsuit. @KNX1070 https://t.co/QJSlhHhblA

— Margaret Carrero (@KNXmargaret) May 30, 2019

A federal lawsuit alleging wrongful death & civil rights violations has been filed against the Ventura Co Sheriff’s Office & CHP over the fatal shooting of Dimas “Juno” Diaz Jr on the 101 Fwy in Calabasas. More @KNX1070 pic.twitter.com/FuJSXVrpmQ

— Margaret Carrero (@KNXmargaret) May 30, 2019

The federal lawsuit alleges wrongful death and civil rights violations in the fatal shooting of Dimas Diaz Jr, who had crashed a stolen car on the freeway while being pursued by officers over a domestic violence call.

Attorney John Burris says "At the time that he got out of the car with nothing on his hands, no threat to anyone. After 20 minutes or so the police just decided to shoot him." 

Diaz’s father says his son was trying to better his life at the time he was killed.

"I'm here so this cannot happen to somebody else," Diaz's father said.

His mother was overcome by emotion.

"Something needs to be done about this. there needs to be better training for these police officers. and they need to be held accountable," she said during a press conference Thursday.

Although Diaz was wanted on a felony parole warrant that stated he should be considered armed and dangerous, no weapon was found on him after the shooting.