Wrongful Death Suit Filed in Senseless Shooting of Unarmed Black Marine by Orange County Deputy

From [HERE] An Orange County wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against the County of Orange, Deputy Darren Sandberg, and others for the death of Manuel Loggins Jr.

The complaint alleges that Manuel Loggins Jr. was lawfully sitting inside his vehicle when Orange County Deputy Darren Sandberg detained him without probable cause. Without warning, the Deputy proceeded to assault and batter Manuel Loggins Jr., who was unarmed, ending in fatal gunshot wounds inflicted by the Deputy’s firearm. At the time, Loggins was a Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton. He was shot and killed on February 7 near San Clemente High School. He was with his two daughters at the time of his death.

Loggins driving his Chevy SUV crashed through the school fence of the school. He got out of his vehicle for about five minutes at which time a deputy sheriff ordered him to stop. Loggins was obviously disoriented when he went back to his vehicle and was fatally shot while inside his vehicle. Loggins was unarmed and presented no threat. What is particularly tragic is his daughters, ages 9 and 14, were seated in the back seats witnessing the entire episode. They were held for approximately 13 hours, at which time their pregnant mother was refused admittance to comfort the children. [MORE] 

A sheriff's spokesman said the deputy feared for the safety of two young girls sitting in a parked car when he shot Marine Sgt. Manuel Loggins Jr. Tuesday. The shooting occurred as Loggins started to get into the SUV where his two daughters — ages 9 and 14 — were sitting, authorities said. Jim Amormino, a spokesman for the Sheriff's Department, said the deputy was fearful that Loggins — who he said appeared to be acting irrationally — was about the drive off with the girls. "The real threat that was perceived was the safety of the children," Amormino said.

A former commanding officer said Loggins routinely went to the school during the early morning with his daughters to walk the track and read the Bible.

According to police, after the minor collision, Loggins walked onto the football field, and about three to four deputies arrived to set up a perimeter, Amormino said. The deputies said they lost sight of Loggins for about five minutes, and when he reappeared, he walked toward the car and climbed inside, ignoring deputies' commands, Amormino said. Amormino said that Loggins made statements to the deputy before he was shot. He would not elaborate. [MORE]