Tampa police face lawsuit over shooting Black Man to Death after Chase

Police say they fired in self-defense, but Moses Yazid's family says officers were wrong to shoot.  Today they filed what could be a multi-million-dollar wrongful death suit against the City of Tampa and the officers.

Police say Yazid ran a stop sign on Riverhills Drive in May of 2005.  They say he refused to give them a license, or his real name.  When Yazid would not get out of the car, two officers tried to pull him out.  He resisted, was tasered, and then shot to death -- after police say he turned his wheels in their direction and tried to run an officer down.

Said police spokeswoman Laura McElroy that night, "the vehicle came rushing towards him, he pulled out his gun and was stepping aside at the same time, firing shots, fearing for his life."

Attorney Barry Cohen, suing for wrongful death, says there was no threat to police.

"If he turned to the left all the way and took off," Cohen says, "there was no way in the world he was going to hit this guy."

Yazid's family says he turned his life around after a prison term for robbery -- starting a business, marrying, and having a family.  Wife Tracy Yazid says, "if he was told to get out of the car, he would get out of the car.  He would not be fighting; he would not be hitting on anybody."

The officers, in their reports, agree that Yazid was not attacking or fighting them.  But, they say, he was resisting.

Cohen says the cops over-reacted.

"You had a couple of young, inexperienced officers -- ill-trained -- who got angry when this African American didn't adhere to their orders as fast as they thought he ought to." Cohen said.

Witnesses disagree on what they saw.

"He tried to run the police over, right when they told him to get out, stop, and get out of the car, he tried to step on the gas," said Jim Greg, who lives across the street.

Carl Mott showed Yazid's attorney how the shots were fired. He was asked, "Did you ever see the car lunge forward quickly?"  Mott said no, and added, "He was trying to get out of the way because nobody wants to be tased, you know?"

A Hillsborough State Attorney's investigation and the police department's Internal Affairs squad cleared the officers, finding that they feared for their lives when they decided to fire.

So, what happened on Riverhills? Why did Moses Yazid die?

They're all questions now for a jury. [MORE]

Comments

[mightmo]

Does anybody here see a connection to all of these so called police brutality incidents? All of the "victims" of the so called police brutality are out committing felonies, most of which are violent felonies! Don't want to be a "victim" of the police, then don't commit crimes. And if you're stupid enough to do so, then listen to the simple commands given by police and more importantly don't fight or run from them. It's not rocket science people.

[Josh]

I know it tries to make the scumbag a poor victim and the police the bad guys. These people need killing if there out committing crimes. I live in Houston and it's mostly niggers making everyone's lives miserable. I started hating them.

[deez]

mightmo, apparently it is rocket science to the creators and supporters of this ignorant website.

"Why those PO-leece cant shoot guns outta those po folks hands and shit?"

[Andre]

Public safety for American civilians has become more of a threat these days and not only by international terrorists and national criminals, but at the hands of law enforcement officials. These are people who vowed to protect and serve our communities.
The increase of excessive force by police officers violates human right laws. It may be me today, but it could be you tomorrow. Become proactive in the struggle against unjustified brutal abuse on American people.

Together let's put an end to police brutality!
Visit my website to see how (encourage your family and friends to sign as well):


http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/ProtectionInGivingService