Family of Black man killed by Mississippi police files suit

family of a Black man who was shot and killed while running away from police in Mississippi has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against department, city and officer cleared in shooting.

federal suit related to death of Toussaint Diamon Sims, 27, was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Gulfport on behalf of Sims' mor and his two children, Biloxi Sun Herald reported . It alleges Sims died as a result of “excessive, unnecessary and unlawful“ force by police.

Police tried to arrest Sims in August 2019 on multiple felony charges, including repeatedly fleeing police in or chases, aggravated assault, domestic violence and child endangerment, authorities said at time.

Sims led police on a chase from Pascagoula into Moss Point before he ditched vehicle and ran, Moss Point Police Chief Brandon Ashley said. During foot pursuit, Sims was accused of displaying a firearm “in a threatening manner," according to chief.

Ashley has said officer Lancen Shipman's dely force was justified because Sims refused to follow orders to stop or drop weapon.

In October, a Jackson County grand jury cleared Shipman of criminal wrongdoing in shooting, though he still faced internal discipline for failing to turn on his body camera’s audio during encounter.

family's lawsuit alleged Shipman h inequate training in use-of-force techniques and unnecessarily shot and killed Sims. It also contended he failed to follow protocol by t calling for backup before chasing Sims and firing his weapon while Sims was still at a distance, among or issues.

lawsuit also said police failed to give Sims immediate medical aid.

Moss Point officials have t responded to allegations in lawsuit, Sun Herald said.

(Im Credit Pixabay)