Justin Charland
Justin Charland, 40, was shot and killed by Las Vegas police in May 2020.
Police say officers were responding a call about a man who was yelling at neighbors and holding a sword. The caller said that the man had mental health issues. His sister later said Charland served in the Army before he was honorably discharged and diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
When officers arrived Charland was standing at the top of a flight of stairs. Officers repeatedly asked him to put the sword down. Charland moved towards officers. One of them fired 3 shots and fatally wounded him. Charland died of injuries at a hospital.
In May 2021 Charland’s family sued the City of Las Vegas. The family said they hope this lawsuit will help to change the way police threats people with mental health issues.
MASS MEDIA ABOUT THE CASE:
‘It’s wrong to KILL someone who can’t tell you what’s wrong,’ Charland’s sister said.
“The purpose of this claim is to help the city of Las Vegas improve how they respond to mental health crisis calls,” said an attorney representing Charland’s family.
CASE STATUS:
The initiative group has requested the clarification from US President Joseph Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland. The initiative group believes it is important to fight against police brutality and, if necessary, will provide legal and financial assistance to the family of the victim.
Letter to Biden
Letter to Garland
