Updated — Feb. 23, 2015 11:57 a.m. ET
An attorney for the widow of Antonio Zambrano-Montes — a 35-year-old unarmed man who was fatally shot by police in the city of Pasco earlier this month, withdrew a $25 million claim against the city, the Tri-City Herald reported.
Attorney Charles Herrman told the Tri-City Herald that the claim, filed on Feb. 13, was premature, badly planned and done without the consent of his widow, Teresa de Jesus Meraz Ruiz.
The $25 million claim, filed by the family's former attorney George Paul Trejo Jr., said that the three police officers involved in the shooting of Zambrano-Montes used excessive force and their actions were an "unjustified use of deadly force against a person whose conduct was in throwing rocks at an earlier time, prior to the shooting." The claim said that Zambrano-Montes posed no danger to the officers who shot and killed him "execution style."
Trejo said Herrmann's allegation that the claim was filed without the family's consent was a "flat-out lie."
Herrmann's firm plans to investigate the shooting and the Pasco police department's policies on dealing with the mentally ill and non-English speakers.
From the Tri-City Herald:
The Herrmann Scholbe firm plans to investigate the shooting and the Pasco police department for "viciously gunning down an unarmed man," Herrmann wrote in the email. They will examine the department's policies regarding dealing with people who are mentally ill or don't speak English, as well as whether there is a history of mistreatment and abuse within the department.
Herrmann said that the claim will be refiled after more research and investigation into the shooting, the Associated Press reported.
Zambrano-Montes' death, which was captured in a graphic video, sparked protests in Pasco and Seattle.
The protest attracted hundreds of people in Pasco, including Zambrano-Montes' family members.
The family is out front of this rally for justice after killing of unarmed man here in Pasco by police.@KIRO7Seattle
Hundreds take to the streets over the #PascoShooting of #AntonioZambranoMontes
Panoramic image shows scene as #PascoShooting protesters gather at scene of Antonio Zambrano-Montes shooting.
The protesters marched to the intersection where Antonio Zambrano-Montes died. The Seattle PI described the gathering as a peaceful protest.
Crowd slowly approaching cafe where Antonio Zambrano-Montes was killed
Demonstrators carried signs referencing Zambrano-Montes' killing, as well as now-familiar protest phrases including "hands up, don't shoot," the Herald reported.
Protester in flak vest passing out copies of Bill of Right, due process at #PascoShooting rally
The march is peaceful with calls for justice in Pasco. @KIRO7Seattle
After reaching the site of the shooting, protesters staged a die-in.
Mood shifting here at #PascoShooting protest. Die-in happening. Lots of familiar Seattle activist faces in crowd.
The main protest ended about 4 p.m., but a smaller group of demonstrators remained into the evening, KNDO reported.
Protestors being warned they will be arrested if they don't disperse in Pasco. @KIRO7Seattle
The remaining group conducted another die-in about 6:30 p.m., before police moved in and ordered the protesters to leave. The Herald reported that most people left by 8 p.m.
A group is blocking intersection in Pasco, where man was shot and killed on Tuesday. Shouting about "racist police."
#Pasco police taking back intersection at scene of #PascoShooting
