“Family Files $30 Million Wrongful Death Lawsuit After Domestic Dispute Leads to Death of Niani Finlayson in Lancaster”

Accident – Death – Obituary News :

A $30 million wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and L.A. County by the family of Niani Finlayson, a young mother who was killed during a domestic dispute in Lancaster. The tragic incident has left loved ones devastated and seeking justice for Finlayson.

During a vigil held in her memory, friends and family described Finlayson as a victim of domestic violence. They shared that she was shot and killed in front of her 9-year-old daughter while trying to protect them both.

The incident occurred on December 4th when Finlayson contacted the deputies, reporting that her boyfriend was refusing to leave her alone. Authorities could hear the sounds of a struggle and screaming during the phone call.

In response to the call, deputies arrived at the apartment where the argument was taking place. As they attempted to enter, Finlayson opened the front door while holding a large kitchen knife. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department stated that she had threatened to stab her boyfriend for pushing her daughter.

As the deputies entered the home, Finlayson allegedly grabbed her boyfriend while still holding the knife, prompting a deputy-involved shooting. Unfortunately, Finlayson was struck by gunfire and collapsed. She was immediately provided with medical treatment and transported to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The lawsuit filed by Finlayson’s family claims that she had called for help because her former boyfriend was strangling her and had hurt her daughter. Tracy Hall, Finlayson’s mother, expressed her disbelief and disappointment in the law enforcement officers involved, stating that they were supposed to protect them but instead devastated their lives.

Lamont Finlayson, the victim’s father, echoed the sentiment, questioning why the officers turned Finlayson into the perpetrator instead of treating her as a victim. The family’s attorney, Bradley Gage, emphasized that the officers should have been trained not to use lethal force when they were unsure of the situation.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department released a statement, stating that they take all deputy-involved shootings seriously and will be releasing the body-worn camera footage of the incident earlier than required. They assured the public that there will be a thorough review process to determine if department policies and procedures were followed.

The incident report from the LASD mentioned that a kitchen knife with an approximate eight-inch blade was recovered at the scene. No other injuries were reported during the incident. The LASD encourages anyone with information regarding the case to contact their homicide detectives or submit anonymous tips to L.A. Crime Stoppers.

This tragic incident has highlighted the importance of domestic violence awareness and the need for law enforcement agencies to handle such situations with utmost care and sensitivity. The lawsuit filed by Finlayson’s family seeks justice for her untimely death and aims to hold the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department accountable for their actions.

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