It has been more than two months since 16-year-old Kimani Gray was shot and killed by two undercover police officers in Brooklyn.
Now, the family says they are looking for justice and plan on filing a wrongful-death lawsuit against New York City.
“We filed a notice of claim against the city last week,” the family’s lawyer, Kenneth Montgomery, tells theGrio. “It preserves the Gray family’s right to sue on behalf of Kimani in state court. It is a wrongful death suit based on excessive force as well as pain and suffering.”
theGrio report: Kimani Gray’s family, community continue to seek justice
According to the police, Kimani aimed a revolver at officers which then led the police involved in his shooting to open fire.
However, family and friends believe otherwise. They say Kimani was innocent and meant no harm.
“I have been to the scene seven times and had the opportunity to review witness accounts and it all contradicts with what police are saying,” Montgomery says. “From looking at where the body was recovered, he was not in an area to run away. He was trapped.”
theGrio report: Kimani Gray protest day 4: Brooklyn community clashes with NYPD
In the meantime, the family and officials are waiting for the District Attorney’s office to conclude the investigation, according to Montgomery.
They are also standing by for autopsy results and the full medical files to be released from the Office of Chief Medical Examiner.
In what is only the beginning of what is expected to be a long trial, Montgomery says that there is only one goal in mind.
“The goal is to hold NYPD and these police officers accountable.”
Follow Lilly Workneh @Lilly_Works