The family of a hostage killed by police gunfire in the chase after a bank robbery last year in Stockton filed a lawsuit today.The filing comes a day after the release of a report critical of the police actions.
Hostage Misty Holt-Singh was used as a human shield by the robbers who abducted her and was struck 10 times by police gunfire.
Singh Family Attorney Greg Bentley says the wrongful death lawsuit names the City of Stockton, the police department, and individual officers.
"The 32 officers that fired over 600 bullets in a disabled vehicle knowing that an innocent hostage was still inside."
A day earlier, the independent Police Foundation released a report critical of the police pursuit, the lack of supervision, and most of all the hail of police gunfire that killed Misty Holt-Singh and two robbers.
More than a year has passed since the shooting, and Misty's husband Paul Singh says he hopes to avoid a long trial.
"Today is a sad day for me and my family, the last thing we wanted to do was to litigate regarding the death of Misty. We are thankful for the Foundation Report and perhaps that will lead us to resolution."
Attorney Bentley hopes for a quick settlement.
"We think healing needs to take place for the Singh family, for the officers involved, and for this community."
If there's no settlement, the case might not go to trial for as long as two years.
Wrongful Death Suit Against Stockton Police Department
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