On Aug. 9, 2016, plaintiffs’ decedent Jesse Romero, 14, was with a group of teenagers, spraying graffiti in Boyle Heights, when they were approached by Los Angeles Police Department police officers, including Eden Medina. Jesse, who had a handgun, ran off, causing the officers to pursue him on foot. Medina fired two rounds and struck Jesse, who died at the scene. Jesse’s parents, Teresa Dominguez and Jesus Romero Garcia, sued Medina and Medina’s employer, the city of Los Angeles. Dominguez and Garcia alleged that Medina’s actions constituted excessive force in violation of Jesse’s civil rights and that the city was liable for Medina’s actions while acting in the course and scope of his employment. Plaintiffs’ counsel contended that Medina could have taken Jesse into custody instead of using deadly force. Defense counsel argued that, at the end of the pursuit, Jesse fired at least one shot at the officers and that Medina feared for his safety and the safety of his partner at the time Medina fired his gun. Counsel also noted that Jesse’s handgun was recovered at the scene., Jesse sustained two gunshot wounds. Paramedics were called, but Jesse died at the scene. Jesse’s parents sought recovery of wrongful death damages for the loss of their son.