A federal judge has dismissed a wrongful death lawsuit connected to the fatal shooting of a 34-year-old Eddie Sanchez Jr.
Sanchez was shot and killed by a Chico police officer in 2015. Since then, his family had been pursuing wrongful death and excessive force claims against the city.
The case hit a snag about two years ago, when court documents show the family’s team of attorneys withdrew from the suit over quote, “irreconcilable differences.”U.S.District Court Judge Troy Nunley dismissed the lawsuit on Nov. 13, because the family failed to rehire an attorney.
The case revolved around an episode that played out in November of 2015. According to Chico Police, Sanchez was a suspect in a string of convenience store robberies, and officers tracked him to a home in south Chico.
Investigators determined Officer Mark Bass shot and killed Sanchez after he ran from the home and pulled a handgun from his waistband. The family’s lawsuit disputed that account.
The lawsuit alleged that two witnesses told investigators Sanchez did not have a gun in his hand when he was shot.
Investigators noted a handgun was found under Sanchez’s body. Sanchez’s family had been seeking monetary damages and other relief.