Family Seeks Justice for Man Shot in the Back and Killed by Culver City Police

The victim’s family is filing a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Culver City Police Department, the officers responsible, and their superiors

CULVER CITY, CALIF., Jan. 31, 2023 – Culver City police officers shot an unarmed, mentally ill man in the back and failed to provide him with timely medical care that may have prevented his death, according to a federal wrongful death lawsuit filed by the man’s family Tuesday.

*Feb 2, 2023 Update: Please read our statement in response to the Culver City Police Department HERE.

New video will be released during a press conference Tuesday showing Guillermo Medina running from officers before Culver City Police Officers shoot him in the back causing him to collapse to the ground. 

Surveillance Footage & Press Release Docs HERE

A press conference announcing the lawsuit was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, at Community Build, Leimert Park, 4305 Degnan Blvd., Los Angeles.

“The family of Guillermo Medina is devastated by this loss,” said V. James DeSimone, the Marina del Rey, Calif., civil rights attorney representing Medina’s wife Adriana and their three children. “Once again, a cry for help results in a death sentence.” 

Medina was unarmed and posed no immediate threat to officers or others; the newly released video shows he was running away when he was shot in the back and killed because of excessive and unnecessary force by members of the Culver City Police Department (CCPD), DeSimone said.

According to the lawsuit, the officers’ over-response and neglect violated both state and federal laws, department policies and procedures dictating use-of-force and Police Officer Standard Training mandates.

In an incident captured on security camera footage, Medina can be seen – at a pace barely qualifying as a jog – fleeing from officers into an empty parking lot. After being shot by police he falls forward on his face, then rolls onto his back, with his arms outstretched.

The lawsuit claims the officers use-of-force against Medina was excessive and unreasonable, in violation of the Fourth Amendment, the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution, the California Constitution, California Civil Rights Laws, and Penal Code 835a and further alleges the officers engaged in assault and battery and are liable for all wrongful death and survival claims. 

His family is seeking compensatory and punitive damages from the city and police department over the wrongful death.  The California Department of Justice has a copy of the video and the Medina family requests the Department of Justice to criminally prosecute these officers. 

Los Angeles civil rights attorney V. James DeSimone has dedicated his 35-year law career to providing vigorous and ethical representation to achieve justice for those whose civil and constitutional rights are violated.

Related Media:

Fox 11: Guillermo Medina: Family to file lawsuit against Culver City in deadly use of force arrest
AP News: Widow’s suit: Unarmed mentally ill husband shot in back
NBC Los Angeles: Culver City Police Shot, Killed Fleeing Man Experiencing Mental Health Crisis, Lawsuit Alleges
Washington Post (subscription required): Widow’s suit: Unarmed mentally ill husband shot by police
San Diego Tribune: Widow’s suit: Unarmed mentally ill husband shot in back
San Francisco Gate: Widow’s suit: Unarmed mentally ill husband shot in back
My News LA: Family of Man Killed in Police Shooting Sue Culver City PD
KFI AM640: Family of Man Killed in Police Shooting Sue Culver City PD
K-Earth 101: Family of man killed in police shooting sue Culver City PD
Telemundo: La familia de un latino con discapacidad que murió baleado por la policía demanda a ciudad de California
Univision: Familia presenta demanda por el arresto mortal de su ser querido a manos de la Policía
Yahoo News: Widow’s suit: Unarmed mentally ill husband shot in back
Spectrum News 1: Widow’s suit: Unarmed mentally ill husband shot in back

V. James DeSimone

Attorney V. James DeSimone is a 35+ year experienced civil rights & employment lawyer in Southern California. Jim is a Super Lawyer, Rated “Superb” by Avvo, and is a US News & World Report Best Law Firm in California.