WHITTIER : Family of Car Theft Suspect Slain by Deputies Files Suit
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The family of a 15-year-old car theft suspect shot to death by a sheriff’s deputy last August filed suit Friday against Los Angeles County, Sheriff Sherman Block and the deputy and his partner.
The parents of David Angel Ortiz, one of four young men whose slayings last summer by sheriff’s deputies outraged the minority community, said they were seeking unspecified compensatory damages, as well as reforms within the Sheriff’s Department.
The deputy involved, Jose Belmares, was fired from the department last month, and a federal investigation is pending. “Due to the case being in litigation, it would be inappropriate for us to comment (on the lawsuit) at this time,” said sheriff’s spokesman Deputy George Ducoulombier.
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