Family Sues Sunnyside Police Over Shooting

SUNNYSIDE, Wash. (AP) — A lawyer representing the family of a man fatally shot by Sunnyside police in 2013 is suing the city.

The Yakima Herald-Republic reports that the lawyer for the estate of Ramon Ayala claims a lack of officer training led to Ayala's death.

Yakima lawyer Bill Pickett says Ayala was killed by a sergeant who arrived on the scene as another officer tried to de-escalate the situation.

The Yakima County prosecutor reviewed the case and found the shooting justified.

Ayala was killed after officers responded to a report of a man firing a gun in the air. Ayala refused police orders to drop the weapon, and witnesses said he raised the gun toward the officer before the sergeant fired. The lawsuit disputes that claim.

The lawsuit says the first officer was successfully negotiating with Ayala, who was apparently trying to commit "suicide by cop."