Family of Man Shot by Des Moines Police Officer Sues City

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The family of an unarmed Des Moines man fatally shot by a police officer has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city.

The Des Moines Register reports that relatives of 28-year-old Ryan Keith Bolinger allege officer Vanessa Miller used unnecessary lethal force against him when she fired a fatal shot through her squad car window June 9.

The family’s attorney, Brett Beattie, filed six counts against the city in federal court, including negligence, violation of constitutional rights, deprivation of rights, negligent training and supervision, battery and wrongful death.

Police Chief Dana Wingert determined that Miller was justified in her actions and a grand jury declined to indict the officer in August.

The newspaper’s request for comment from the city’s legal department was not immediately returned Wednesday.

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