AUSTIN (AP) -- The family of a man who died in a police shooting last month is suing the officer and the city of Austin, alleging wrongful death, racial injustice and excessive force.
The federal court lawsuit filed yesterday claims Officer Leonardo Quintana didn't follow proper policy in trying to awaken 18-year-old Nathaniel Sanders II during the early morning hours of May 11.
The lawsuit claims the officer then overreacted and shot Sanders without justification.
Police have said Sanders reached for a weapon.
After-hour calls by The Associated Press to the city of Austin and the Austin Police Department were not immediately returned last night.
Events leading up to the shooting started with police responding to an area where there had been complaints of gunfire.
Sanders was one of three men in a car officers thought might be connected with gunfire reports.
Another person was injured in the shooting, which sparked a standoff between an agitated crowd and officers in riot gear.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.
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