Zachary Champommier's Mother, Carol, Sues DEA, LAPD and Sheriff's Department, Claiming Officers Killed Her 18-Year-Old Son for No Reason

By Chris Vogel Mon., May 9 2011 at 12:14 PM

Zachary Champommier

On June 24, a a task force of local law enforcement officers and undercover federal agents gunned down 18-year-old Zachary Champommier in a parking lot behind a Chipotle restaurant in Studio City.

Despite the official reports, which claimed Champommier drove his car into a sheriff's deputy, causing officers to open fire, Champommier's family says the teen was shot without provocation or justification.

Champommier's mother, Carol, is now suing the DEA, LAPD and LA County Sheriff's Department in federal court for wrongful death.

According to the lawsuit, first reported by Courthouse News Service, Champommier was in his car waiting for a friend when he saw officers detain someone. When Champommier began to drive away toward the parking lot exit, he was fired upon.

Champommier "was unarmed, had not threatened the agents/officers, did not pose a threat of death or serious physical injury," states the lawsuit. The officers "proceeded to use unreasonable, unnecessary and excessive force, firing multiple bullets and killing" Champommier.

Champommier's mother also claims that after her son was killed, the officers and agents "gave false statements, concealed material information, tampered with evidence, and otherwise attempted to cover up their misconduct."

Tags:

DEA, LAPD, lawsuit, Shooting, wrongful death, Zachary Champommier

We Recommend

a friend

Justice will prevail.

Justice4Zac

Zac’s lawsuit has been filed. There is no statute of limitations on murder. Agent Lopresti, I look forward to seeing you on the stand. Do you think others will vouch for your actions that night? Do you think that all who witnessed your conduct will support your actions in killing an unarmed honors student, particularly when you did so from the safety of facing Zac’s driver’s side door? Are you going to claim that you were in fear for your life from that position? Good luck. You’ll need all you can get.

Ashley

Zack was a great and out going person. He cared about other people. When I heard what happened to him it brought tears to my eyes. It is unfortunate that this happened. I miss Zack. I am so glad that I knew such an amazing guy. He will always be loved and will never be forgotten. He will be remembered and he will be in the hearts of many people.

Eli C.

So now it begins! We must rally!

Arelee_91

Now-a-days cops are always trying to get away with their mistakes...It's stupid really. If you're going to a police officer learn how to do your goddamn job!

Justice4Zac

There is no statute of limitations for murder. I hope the multi-jurisdictional task force members who are responsible for executing Zac, from the safety of facing his driver's side door, have been informed of this fact.