PITTSBURGH — The family of a man shot and killed by a Wilkinsburg police officer has filed an excessive force lawsuit against the officer and the department.
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Attorneys Paul Jubas and Max Petrunya filed the suit in federal court Thursday on behalf of the family of Romir Talley.
A news release from the attorneys said the situation surrounding the shooting death of Talley has been “shrouded in mystery.” The Wilkinsburg Police Department does not use body cameras or dash cameras in their police vehicles. The attorneys also point the finger at the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, saying the agency has not been transparent and “a piecemeal investigation was conducted.”
They also claim that other evidence has emerged that contradicts parts of the story as reported by authorities. They said based on their own investigation, evidence shows that there was only one gun at the scene and he believes Romir never fired a shot.
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According to the Allegheny County Police, a 911 call was made about a man threatening a person with a gun at the intersection of Penn Avenue and Wood Street last December. Police arrived and said they found a man matching the description. They said he tried to run and during the foot chase, Talley turned around and shot a handgun at the officers. The officer who fired, Officer Robert Gowans, was put on administrative leave during the investigation.
[ Family wants homicide charges for officer that killed Wilkinsburg man ]
Talley’s family has previously urged the District Attorney’s Office to file murder charges against Gowan.
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