The parents of a 30-year-old man who was fatally shot by sheriff's deputies in Paramount in 2024 after allegedly advancing on them armed with a pair of scissors are suing Los Angeles County for wrongful death.
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The plaintiffs in the Compton Superior Court lawsuit are Antonio Palomares and Encarnacion Palomares Rojo, the father and mother of Julio Palomares. They additionally allege battery, negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress and civil rights violations.
Rojo suffered gunpowder burns from the gunfire, the suit states. The couple seek unspecified damages as well as burial and funeral expenses. An LASD representative did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the suit brought Feb. 10.
Deputies previously said that they were sent to the 8400 block of Quimby Street, near Downey Avenue and Century Boulevard, about 9:15 p.m. Aug. 4 "regarding a family disturbance and battery just occurred call."
"Deputy personnel contacted the victim, who explained that the suspect ... had punched him in the face after a verbal argument," according to a department statement. "Deputies contacted the suspect in the rear yard of the residence.
"The suspect was armed with one pair of scissors approximately 8 inches in total length. The suspect immediately and aggressively advanced towards deputy personnel. A less lethal (stun gun) was deployed, but was ineffective. The suspect continued advancing towards deputy personnel when a deputy-involved shooting occurred."
Paramedics pronounced Julio Palomares dead at the scene. But the lawsuit alleges that he did not threaten the deputies and makes no mention of him holding a pair of scissors.
"During the incident it was obvious, or it should have been obvious to an objectively reasonable deputy, that decedent was experiencing and having a mental health crisis," according to the suit, which further states that Julio Palomares was not warned that deadly force could be used against him.
The deputies could have used alternative means to subdue Julio Palomares, including pepper spray or further use of the stun gun, the suit states.
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