The family of a black man and dad of two who was shot and killed allegedly by Sacramento cops are demanding USD 100 million in a wrongful death suit that they have filed.
Kershawn Geyger, 25, who worked as an electrician and as a carpenter, was allegedly killed by officials from Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, in the city of Sacramento, in the US state of California in January 2021.
Lawyers for the victim’s family said on Monday, 10th January, that the family claims repeated civil rights violations and is seeking USD 100 million (GBP 73 million) in damages.
They claim numerous civil rights and other violations against Sacramento County and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, regarding their response to the incident, including an excessive use of force and for wrongful death.
The family said they hope the legal process will provide more transparency and answers into what happened that night.
Geyger, 25, was killed during a traffic stop by officers with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office Gang Suppression Unit (GMU) in front of the Crestview North Apartments in Carmichael, in Sacramento County, on 15th January 2021, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.
His brother, who has been named as JW Geiger, was sitting in the passenger seat during the incident.
His parents Yaphette and Jethro Geiger have called on the Sheriff’s Office for answers regarding what happened on the day their son lost his life.
The suit the family have filed claims: “The aftermath of Geyger’s death, the clear lack of transparency and accountability by officials shows that the Sheriff’s Department and county pay little regard to the life and death concerns or expectations of justice from the community.”
It also said: “Instead, the County and Sheriff’s [Office] has displayed a clear carelessness and lack of remorse for the violent misconduct of deputies.”
During the police stop, Geyger is accused of firing at a 47-year-old officer, striking him in the stomach, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. The Geyger family have disputed this and said that they hope the lawsuit may help provide answers.
Nathalie Meza Contreras, a lawyer representing the family, said: “Without any answers from the County of Sacramento or its Sheriff’s Department, the family of Kershawn Geyger now turns to the Courts to seek justice for his death at the hands of the Sheriff’s deputies.”
She added: “We want justice for Kershawn and his family.”
Family lawyer Walter Mosley said: “Nearly one year since the violent death of Kershawn Geyger, the deputies continue to work uninterrupted for and with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s [Office] while the friends, family and community of Geyger still grieve his loss and the brutal proof in question of his killing; a change must come.”
