AUSTIN, Texas — The family of a man killed by an Austin Police officer almost two years ago reported Tuesday that they have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city and the three officers involved in the shooting.
According to court records, Rajan Moonesinghe, 33, died shortly after midnight on Nov. 15, 2022, when police responded to a 911 call about a man pointing a gun toward the street. Upon arrival, officers found Moonesinghe firing a rifle inside the home, where he believed there was an intruder.
Police camera video shows Officer Daniel Sánchez ordering Moonesinghe to drop the weapon before firing five shots quickly.
The lawsuit filed by Moonesinghe’s family demands more than $100 million in economic damages and significant reform of police training, de-escalation procedures, transparency and oversight.
“We hope that today’s filing of the lawsuit will draw the city’s attention, draw the attention of APD, and rally support for the idea that we deserve better as citizens of Austin than what the Moonesinghe family received,” the attorney said. Jay Ellwanger during a press conference Tuesday afternoon.
The Moonesinghes said that since Rajan’s death they have worked with state and city leaders to improve policing in Austin, but have come up empty-handed.
During the conference, the bereaved said that filing the federal lawsuit was their last resort to bring about changes within the department.
Officer Sanchez faces charges of deadly conduct in connection with the incident and is awaiting trial.
