James Thomas, brother of the late 62-year-old Michael Thomas, brought the lawsuit this week in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeking unspecified damages. An LASD representative could not be immediately reached.
Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department monitor Merrick Bobbs issued a report in 2010 expressing concern about possible racial bias, and a year later the U.S. Justice Department began a pattern-and-practice investigation into racial discrimination by the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department toward minorities in the Antelope Valley, the lawsuit states. The LASD and the Justice Department in 2013 entered into a settlement agreement over racial discrimination in the Antelope Valley, according to the lawsuit.
June 11, 2020, at about 5:20 a.m., deputies entered the home of Michael Thomas, who was disabled with missing fingers on one hand, the lawsuit states. The deputies said they were responding to a domestic violence incident, even though no such event had occurred and Michael Thomas asked them to leave, the suit states.
However, the deputies accosted and shot Michael Thomas, who was unarmed man and posed no danger to them, the lawsuit states. James Thomas was present and “witnessed his brother dying,” the lawsuit states.
Deputies said previously that Michael Thomas’ girlfriend called 911 to report the domestic violence incident, but never spoke to the operator. She left the phone line open and several minutes of arguing and fighting between the caller and the suspect could be heard in the background, the department said. Michael Thomas’ girlfriend later gave a recorded statement to deputies in which she confirmed she had placed the 911 call and had been assaulted by the suspect, the LASD said.
“When deputies arrived, they made contact with the suspect inside the location and attempted to detain him for a domestic violence investigation,” a sheriff’s department statement said. “The suspect refused to comply with the (deputies’) orders, and an altercation between the deputies and the suspect ensued.
“During the altercation, the suspect reached down and attempted to gain control of one of the deputy’s firearm,” the statement said. “It was at that time when a deputy-involved shooting occurred.”
Michael Thomas died at an area hospital. No deputies were injured.
Previous related stories:
Family disputes LASD’s account of deputy-involved shooting in Lancaster
Man killed in deputy-involved shooting in Lancaster
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yvonne says
michae; thomas and james thomas are my first cousins and it saddens me to hear about my cousins death as I found out a year later that he passed so tragic. i was not there so i cant voice anything, i remember the last time i seen michael and his fiance and everything seemed to be okay.however i just lost my father my ex husband and my youngest son had passed in month spaces through 2019 and 2020. our conversation was very short as we where going in opposite directions that day, who would have thought michael would be gone? im lost for words and to hear so many comments being made im very speechless with sorrow i pray that god intervene to give my family peace out of such a tragic situation. my condolences to my family by bloodline.
Silvia says
What’s to keep the soul brotha from playing the race card?
Overwhelming encouragement overflowing from the policy community and the mainstream media, begging him to play the race card? A likely payday for him, in excess of a cool US$ million?
Why not play the race card?
OUTSPOKEN TRUTH says
So 2 trained police officers couldn’t safely detain a one hand man. Very hard to believe for anyone with any type of common sense!
F 50 says
About time someone other than a racist redneck speaks truth and common sense!
Ojay Robinson says
Ojay Robinsoni lived over there and happen to be taking a smike break outside at the time they wasted that man he was disabled abut very respectful .check my video out on Ig @Makemhateu films hope you get the real ideal .Many more senseless killing have acurred out here involving innocent people out here in Lancaster, California.
Gabriel says
Eric Garcetti, Gavin Newsom and Geroge Gascon will give him tens of millions. But, in 5 years’ time, the soul brother will have squandered every cent.
Confused says
Can it be both “intentional and negligent” or one and not the other?
Hone says
Nope, It is BOTH.
Manny says
It’s always systemic racism, when the racist-fascist NAZI police shoot the soul brotha. It’s always a case of innocence, when the soul brotha shoots you.
Kiki says
The brother should of complied instead of trying to reach for a gun to try to kill the officer most likely.
Engineer Bill says
According to the brother, who witnessed the shooting, it didn’t go down like that. I don’t believe him. That’s why I’m for bodycams .
Angel says
Most likely indeed; more like most likely Not.
Altercation says
“During the altercation, the suspect reached down and attempted to gain control of one of the deputy’s firearm…”
Great idea!!! James Thomas is now playing the lawsuit lottery.
Tookie says
Very unlikely.
Nelson says
As a minority who lives in the AV I am grateful for the strong policing in the AV, I come from south central and the cops over there were practically non existent, here in the AV they are literally in every corner. Which I am grateful for. Keep up the Good work LASD Palmdale and Lancaster.
surfside 6 says
Get busy taxpayers!
Grifter Dave says
He ain’t getting a dime.
Collin says
… the brotha wants a new caddy –