LAPD Faces $20M Wrongful Death Lawsuit Over Fatal Shooting [Los Angeles, CA]

SANTA ANA, CA (February 12, 2024) —

A $20 million wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against the City of Los Angeles and its police department, following the fatal shooting of 36-year-old Jason Maccani, who was armed only with a plastic fork. 

The incident, which occurred on February 3rd on E. 7th St., led to Maccani’s death after an interaction with police officers, who were responding to reports of an assault with a deadly weapon.

Body camera footage released by the LAPD shows Maccani initially complying with officers’ commands before approaching them with an object in hand. Despite attempts to use non-lethal force, officers shot Maccani after he allegedly attempted to grab an officer’s shotgun. Maccani was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The LAPD wrongful death lawsuit challenges the officers’ use of force, asserting that Maccani posed no immediate threat warranting lethal action. The family’s claim emphasizes that no officers were harmed and that they maintained control of their weapons throughout the encounter.

Wrongful death cases like this one highlight the devastating impact of potentially excessive force and the importance of holding public institutions accountable. For families grappling with loss, facing the aftermath of such incidents can be overwhelming, compounded by the legal challenges surrounding wrongful death and personal injury claims.