Akeka Edwards Files Claim Against City of Pasadena, Seeks $200,000
By Pasadena Independent
Published: Wednesday, May 13th, 2009
Ameka Edwards was the driver of a vehicle whose passenger was shot to death by Pasadena police officers in February. The claim is the first step towards a civil lawsuit. Officers shot Leroy Barnes Jr. 11 times during a confrontation that began in the backseat of her car on Feb. 19 after Barnes reportedly pointed a gun at one of them during a traffic stop.
Ameka Edward’s claim states, in part: “On Thursday Feb. 19, 2009 at 4:20 p.m. I was driving on Washington and Mentone Ave. when the officer pulled over my vehicle with no reason and the one to my right opened fire against my car and killed my passenger,” Edwards says in the claim.
The claim was filed April 14 and asks for $200,000. Pasadena has until the end of May to respond to said claim.
The Barnes’ family has also filed a wrongful death claim.
According to police reports, Edwards was parked on the wrong side of the street talking to several young men. The men quickly left the scene when the Pasadena officers approached. Barnes then entered the back seat of Edwards’ car.
Police pulled the car over, and say that Barnes refused to remove his hands from a bag he was carrying and later pulled a gun out of the bag and pointed it at officers who shot him. Officers say they were forced to open fire again after
Barnes got out of the car with his gun in his hand.
Barnes was on felony parole for assault with a deadly weapon.
Pasadena Police Chief Bernard Melekian initially reported on the evening of February 19 , that Barnes got out of the backseat of the vehicle and began firing a handgun at officers. The next day Chief Melekian said Barnes did not shoot at officers but was in the backseat struggling with an officer and was shot as a result of the altercation.
Both officers are said to be back on duty but on different beats than their previous assignments.
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