SAN DIEGO – The mother of a wanted fugitive who was shot and killed by San Diego police last October has filed a wrongful death complaint against the city of San Diego and the police department.
On the afternoon of Oct. 20, 2015, 39-year-old Lamontez Jones was shot and killed at a Gaslamp District intersection by two motorcycle officers.
Jones, the subject of an outstanding armed-robbery arrest warrant out of Virginia, had arrived in San Diego on the lam only a few days prior. After he was spotted by officers, he fled for several blocks and ignoring repeated orders to halt, according to San Diego police.
At Sixth Avenue and F Street, police said Jones turned toward his pursuers and pulled a realistic-looking replica pistol out of a backpack he was carrying.
Fearing for their lives, the officers opened fire on Jones, who fell onto the roadway. The suspect then began to sit up and raised the fake weapon once more, prompting them to shoot him again, police said.
Jones was transported to UCSD Medical Center, where he died.
The officers were identified as Scott Thompson, a 30-year veteran, and Gregory Lindstrom, a 25-year veteran. They reportedly told investigators they had not turned on their body cameras because they simply did not have time. They are both named in the complaint as well.
The complaint, served Tuesday to the city clerk, is seeking damages for civil rights violations, intentional infliction of emotional distress, assault and battery, among other allegations. A jury trial will be asked to determine the specific amount of damages. It was filed by Jones’ mother, Victoria Jones.
Last October, immediately following the shooting, SDPD Chief Shelley Zimmerman defended the actions of the two officers.
"I want everybody to understand -- this was a rapidly evolving and dynamic situation."
Zimmerman said the motorcycle officers did not violate camera policy during the violent encounter since the rule explicitly states that safety concerns trump use of the devices.
