LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Attorneys for the family of Brandon Durham announced a federal lawsuit on behalf of Durham's family in the case of the fatal police shooting in Las Vegas.
At a press conference on Monday, attorneys Cannon Lambert and Lee Merritt said their lawsuit would claim Durham's civil rights were violated, that Officer Alexander Bookman used excessive force in his response to Durham's 911 call on Nov. 12, and that the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department had policies and practices that contributed to Durham’s death.
You can watch the full press conference here:
The Durham family is seeking more than $1 million in damages, but attorneys emphasized that the goal is much bigger than a financial payout.
This follows Channel 13's recent reporting of a potential indictment for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer who fatally shot Durham.
On March 27, we learned from sources with knowledge of the case that the Clark County District Attorney's Office might seek a murder charge against Bookman.
WATCH: Family members and legal experts react to news of a potential indictment:
Sources also tell Channel 13 that Bookman was served a Marcum notice informing him the case would be brought before a grand jury. The district attorney's office has not responded to our requests to confirm that information.
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Our coverage of this case dates back to Nov. 12, when Durham was shot and killed inside his home near Sunset Park. He had called 911 to report a home invasion.
Further investigation of the shooting would reveal Durham and Bookman had also interacted the day before the shooting, when Durham called police for help getting an acquaintance to leave his property.
That person, since identified as Alejandra Boudreaux, returned to Durham's house the next day and broke in, leading to the fatal shooting. Boudreaux faces a number of charges in this case.
Attorneys for the Durham family maintain there is ample evidence that Bookman should have known Durham was the homeowner, not the suspect, when he fired the shots that killed the 43-year-old.
Speaking to Channel 13 anchor Abel Garcia on Monday, the Durham family's attorneys noted this federal lawsuit is separate from the ongoing criminal case.
Their legal action calls for policy reforms within the Las Vegas police department, including mandatory de-escalation training and stronger disciplinary action for officers with prior misconduct.
Durham's teenage daughter, who was at home during the fatal shooting, spoke out on Monday.
"To be in that house when it happened...and now finally, for the slight chance we could get the justice my father does deserve is bringing me a light at the end of the tunnel," Isabella Durham said.
While these attorneys aren't currently requesting a federal investigation into the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, they say that could come later depending on how the state-level process unfolds.
We reached out to LVMPD for a statement on Monday and have yet to hear back as of this report.
