LOS ANGELES – Three daughters of a 51-year-old homeless man killed in a deputy-involved shooting in Castaic last year sued Los Angeles County Thursday, alleging wrongful death and negligence and claiming a cover-up surrounding his death.
Vanessa and Samantha Powsers and Jessica Kemp allege in their Los Angeles Superior Court suit that the county and other unnamed persons “conspired to justify and cover up the misconduct … by, among other things, preparing false reports” regarding the death of their father, William Bowers.
The suit does not elaborate on the cover-up allegation.
The daughters, who also allege excessive force was used and that the sheriff’s deputies were not properly trained, are seeking unspecified damages.
A sheriff’s department representative did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
Bowers died at the scene of the shooting, which occurred about 9 p.m. Aug. 2, 2016, in the 31500 block of Castaic Road, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
According to the sheriff’s department, deputies tried to stop Bowers, who was riding a bicycle, after recognizing him from previous interactions and knowing that he was on probation for a narcotics violation.
“When the suspect fled on foot, deputies followed him and eventually made contact with him,” Deputy Mike Barraza of the Sheriff’s Information Bureau said previously. “It was at this time that a deputy-involved shooting occurred.”
A group of civil rights activists gathered outside sheriff’s headquarters in downtown Los Angeles after the shooting, asking for a meeting with Sheriff Jim McDonnell and calling for an independent investigation.
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Kenny Money says
They shot an unarmed man and there is absolutely no explanation included in their own statement? To hell with the money, a cop needs to go to jail for murder.
Michael A. Garay says
For nonsense and the other idiot who posted why now to the family as Gold Diggers, let me give you a little insight the
man who lost his life to a trigger happy punk ass cop was a man with a successful career who purchased aluminum and steel for an aircraft company that builds the planes that protect your ass everyday – he fell on hard times and needed to get back on his feet on his own, while being harrassed by punk ass deputies every day because they knew he had a violation. he walks away and gets shot in the chest at point blank as he raised his arms when told. So dont assume the lottery winnings here and respect those that fall in the hands that were to protect and serve from the get go – I lost a good friend of 23 years a well respected human being – he dont deserve the [removed] slinging.
callingitasitis says
August 2016 ??? What no State DOJ investigation????? No federal DOJ investigation on the violation of civil rights???????? Tax payers love it when gold digging lawyers and relatives seek damages for alleged civil rights violation. “IF” the DOJ (feds/state) get a conviction then the civil right violation lawsuit should go fast. The county, state or city lawyers will always settle quickly. I know someone will state that the current fed DOJ will not consider it, but that will NOT stop the state from doing their duty to investigation.
Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.
Mark Twain
False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil.
Socrates
jip Joe says
“Many” Deputies are pretentious immature little kids whom grew up on XBox and accustomed to shooting everything. It brings security to their little minds which explains why so many these days are now anti-LEO-myself included. LEOs created the hate on themselves. If they were real men they would not need to shoot everything in sight as a first solution.
Tina says
Very true statement right there! I know a young cop with LAPD (30 yrs old) that lives here in Palmdale and he always describes his job as if he is playing a role in a video game.
It’s kinda scary. I still support law enforcement but I think they need to know that they’re not “playing” anything. This is real life!
Irena says
National average says something else entirely. The majority of officers never even draw their weapons, let alone fire at someone while on duty.
I am not saying that what the officer did was or wasn’t justified, only that saying many is overly broad and most likely a regional phenomenon. Stop watching sensationalized news and actually look at the statistics.
what says
What does any of that have to do with Police Officers killing unarmed people?
Irena says
My comment was directed at: ““Many” Deputies are pretentious immature little kids whom grew up on XBox and accustomed to shooting everything” Specifically the part about “shooting everything up”.
Tim Scott says
For every one that is jumping for their gun there are a few dozen who are all too willing to say “good shoot, I’ll swear to it.” That’s the real problem.
nonsense says
If this man had 3 grown daughters why was he homeless?!? They must have not been able to put up with him either now all of a sudden they care!!! If you cared so much your father shouldn’t have been homeless dont give them anything
Tina says
He may have wanted to be homeless. You don’t know the situation! You can try your hardest to encourage someone to come and stay with you but if they are independent by nature, they may not wish to. They will say they don’t want to “burden” and “can handle” their situation themselves. These are the friends / relatives that I have worried most about in life because this is how they often end up — dead by a cop or by a thug (or maybe both?)
Jimmy B says
Yay! now they can win the ghetto lottery because of a homeless relative they didnt care about at all prior to his death. Free Money!
Aleah says
Yup I agree
resistance says
Cops should be held accountable pal
Tim Scott says
Should b held accountable, but this is the extent of it. The county will pay out and the killer will go on with their life. If they accumulate such a horrific record that the department can’t take the public scrutiny they will give him a glowing letter of recommendation and he will take his thuggery to some other department.
nonsense says
I agree with you! If they cared so much he shouldn’t have been homeless to begin with now they see $$$$ involved
Anonymous says
Tax payer money…..enjoy!!!