EAST PITTSBURGH, Pa. — The family of Antwon Rose, the 17-year-old shot and killed by an East Pittsburgh police officer, has filed a federal lawsuit against the borough of East Pittsburgh, the officer, the police chief and the mayor.
In the wrongful death lawsuit, filed Wednesday, the family alleges that East Pittsburgh and its policymakers -- specifically the city council, Police Chief Lori Fruncek and Mayor Louis Payne -- failed to properly train its police officers.
RELATED: Officer charged with shooting, killing Antwon Rose waives preliminary hearing
Officer Michael Rosfeld is charged with criminal homicide in the death of Rose, who was shot to death as he and another teenager ran from a traffic stop on the night of June 19. Rose was unarmed.
According to the suit, Rosfeld did not wait for backup units to arrive and “immediately drew his weapon and began to shout menacing and hostile orders at the three occupants of the vehicle, including Rose.”
TRENDING NOW:
- Woman attacked on Panhandle Trail near North Fayette
- Passengers shaken when brakes fail on Kennywood's Pirate Ship ride
- Police: Mother left 1-, 2-year-old home alone to go buy lunch
- RAW VIDEO: Rose family attorney talks about federal lawsuit just filed
The “aggressive” tone and demeanor of Rosfeld caused the occupants of the vehicle to fear for their lives, the suit said.
The lawsuit cites Rosfeld’s use of excessive force and claims he did not attempt to provide medical aid to Rose after the shooting.
Rosfeld’s past is also referenced in the lawsuit. He was fired from the University of Pittsburgh Police Department.
RELATED: Lawsuit filed over unrelated incident involving officer who killed Antwon Rose
“Despite his record the EPPD hired Defendant Rosfeld. East Pittsburgh either knew, or through their lack of a failure to investigate, didn’t know of Rosfeld’s checkered history, resulting in culpability for such a hire,” the lawsuit said.
Rose’s parents are seeking compensation for damages and the wrongful death of their son.
Fred Rabner, attorney for the Rose family, released the following statement:
"The overwhelming facts and unequivocal law supporting this lawsuit are so clear and self-evident that it could have been filed within days of Antwon's death. However, the family deserved to lay their son, brother and grandson to rest in a peaceful fashion. And while this suit will never quell their tremendous grief or minimize their tragic loss, we feel that it is time that we begin to seek answers, and take appropriate court action to assure justice."