The family of a 24-year-old man fatally shot by a security guard at a San Francisco Walgreens last month has announced a wrongful death lawsuit.
The legal action against Walgreens, the security company and the security guard was discussed by attorney John Burris at a news briefing Friday afternoon in Oakland. Burris said the lawsuit demands over $25 million.
"The value of a human life cannot be diminished because of their station in life and who they are," Burris said. "This is a young person who is 24 years old, whose life was taken unnecessarily so as a consequence of what Walgreens did."
The deadly shooting of Banko Brown has sparked growing outrage after the release of security video and San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins' conclusion security guard Michael Anthony was acting in self defense.
Walgreens security camera video documents the struggle between Brown and Anthony that led up to the shooting. It begins with Brown walking toward the store's exit, where he's confronted by Anthony about stolen items.
After a shove and a struggle, Anthony punches Brown several times, pulls him to the ground and puts him into a restraining hold for several seconds.
He repeatedly told investigators Brown had a knife, although none was found.
Friday's announcement comes a day after tempers flared during an emotional memorial service for Brown.
Walgreens on Friday declined to comment on the lawsuit. The security company issued a statement that read in part they were fully cooperating with law enforcement in the investigation of this extremely unfortunate incident, ading they were not permitted to comment further.
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NBC Bay Area's attempt to contact Anthony for comment were unsuccessful on Friday.
Meanwhile, the California attorney general this week agreed to determine if Jenkins made the right decision when deciding to not file charges against the security guard involved in the deadly shooting.
Burris said if the AG ultimately decides to file criminal charges, that could be helpful to his lawsuit but not necessary.
