Family of man shot, killed by officers files federal lawsuit against LVMPD
The family of Jorge Gomez, shot and killed by police officers in June, have filed a lawsuit in federal court against Las Vegas Metropolitan Police. (File: KSNV)
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — The family of a man shot and killed by police officers in June have filed a lawsuit in federal court against Las Vegas Metropolitan Police.
Jorge Gomez, 25, was shot outside the Lloyd D. George federal building on June 1 following a night of protests in Las Vegas over racial injustice.
Gomez's family announced in July they would seek a lawsuit. The formal complaint, filed on Aug. 29, names LVMPD and four officers identified in the shooting as defendants.
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Police said Gomez, armed with a rifle and holstered handgun, was walking by the federal building after they gave an order to disperse. He was hit with less-lethal force, and four officers driving by stopped at the scene.
The officers got out of their car and saw Gomez raise his rifle, prompting them to open fire, LVMPD said. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The complaint alleges Gomez complied with Nevada's open carry laws and was peacefully protesting. The family says officers did not give any warning before firing less-lethal rounds, and that Gomez never threatened officers or pointed a gun at anyone.
"Officers ... may have simply overreacted when they heard the less then lethal rounds being fired at [Gomez] and saw [him] running with his guns on his person," the complaint states.
None of the four officers involved in the shooting was wearing a body camera at the time. The complaint states they are part of LVMPD's development bureau and do not typically work in the field.
A spokesman for LVMPD said the department does not comment on pending litigation.
