The family of 19-year-old Abdul Arian, the driver shot and killed by police on the 101 Freeway in Woodland Hills last week, filed a wrongful death claim against the city of Los Angeles on Monday.
The claim, filed on behalf of his parents, Ahman and Deena Arian, seeks $120 million -- $1 million per bullet that they claim officers fired at Arian, according to a press statement released by the family's attorney Jeffrey Galen.
"It is my hope that Chief Beck and the Los Angeles Police Department will come to the realization that improper use of force is too often overlooked in our community," Galen said.
The LAPD had no comment about the claim as of Monday afternoon. The department has not released its own estimate
of how many bullets were fired or struck Arian and an autopsy report has not been released.
LAPD investigators are still trying to determine why Arian fled from a traffic stop Wednesday night and led officers on a chase from Northridge to Woodland Hills that ended on the 101 shortly before 10 p.m. He jumped out of his car, fled on foot and appeared to be gesturing or pointing an object at officers shortly before they opened fire.
LAPD has said it is reviewing whether the shooting was within the department's use-of-force policy. Last week, the department released a statement that said Arian had told 911 operators he had a gun and was prepared to use it.
However, Arian's family has called the shooting excessive and unwarranted.
"Within moments of getting out of his vehicle, holding nothing more than a cell phone, eight Los Angeles Police Officers fired approximately 120 rounds into the innocent, unarmed young man, killing him in a savage and gross misuse of force outside established police protocol," the family's press release said Monday.
The funeral for Abdul Arian is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Pierce Brothers Valhalla, 10621 Victory Blvd. in North Hollywood.
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