The father of a legally armed black musician who was killed by a Florida police officer is suing the officer and his department.
The father of Corey Jones filed the state lawsuit Wednesday against since-fired Officer Nouman Raja and the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department seeking unspecified damages. The lawsuit by Clinton Jones Sr. claims Raja used excessive force when he shot Jones on Oct. 18 and the department failed to properly train him.
State prosecutors have charged Raja with manslaughter, alleging that the undercover officer didn't identify himself before shooting Jones, who had been heading home from a performance when his SUV broke down on a highway off ramp.
Raja shot the 31-year-old Jones during a confrontation after the officer stopped to investigate what he thought was a possibly abandoned vehicle on an Interstate 95 off ramp.
He yelled for Jones to put down his gun "right now" just before telling a 911 operator he had shot a man and needed assistance, according to a recording of the call released Wednesday.
Raja, who used an expletive in the recording, told the 911 operator to send help because he lost sight of Jones. He said he opened fire after Jones pointed his gun.
Raja is of South Asian descent. He has pleaded not guilty.
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Neither his attorneys nor the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department immediately responded to phone calls and emails requesting comment.
