On Aug. 16, 2016, plaintiff’s decedent Kenney Watkins, 18, was a passenger of a vehicle that was being pursued by Evan Urias, a motorcycle officer with the Los Angeles Police Department. The driver refused to stop but discharged Kenney, who began to run away on West Century Boulevard, near the intersection with South Figueroa Street, in Los Angeles. Urias chased Kenney, who was holding a small, semi-automatic handgun in his left hand and .44 Magnum revolver in his right hand. During the chase, Kenney turned toward Urias, who was still on his motorcycle. Urias fired his gun twice, shooting Kenney once on the left side of his back. Kenney died at the scene. Kenney’s mother, Prescious Sasser, acting individually and as her son’s successor in interest, sued Urias and Urias’ employers, the city of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Police Department. Sasser alleged that Urias used excessive force in violation of Kenney’s civil rights and that the city and police department were liable for Urias’ actions. Plaintiffs’ counsel contended that Urias should have stopped and waited for backup when Kenney ran from him. Counsel also argued that Kenney was turning to look over his shoulder at Urias while sprinting away and was not about to shoot. Defense counsel contended that Kenney appeared to be holding something under his sweatshirt that could have been a gun and that although Urias ordered him to stop and show his hands, Kenney ran away. Counsel also contended that Urias radioed that he was pursuing a man with a gun before following Kenney on his motorcycle and that Urias noticed the two guns Kenney that was holding during the pursuit. Counsel further noted that an unnamed witness saw Kenney holding a gun in each hand. Urias claimed that Kenney turned toward him and pointed one of the guns at him. He alleged that as a result, he feared for his safety. Defense counsel argued that the use of deadly force was reasonable and consistent with Urias’ training, as Kenney posed an immediate threat of great bodily injury or death when he turned with two handguns in Urias’ direction. In addition, defense counsel noted that the Los Angeles Police Commission, a civilian panel that oversees the police department, investigated the shooting and ruled in Urias’ favor in July 2017. It found that Urias’ use of deadly force was reasonable and complied with the department’s policies., Kenney sustained a gunshot wound on the left side of his back. He died at the scene. He was survived by his mother, Prescious Sasser. Sasser sought recovery of wrongful death damages for the loss of her only son.