Family of shot teen Villanueva files lawsuit against city, police

The family of a Montreal teen killed during a police shooting last summer are suing the city and two police officers.

Fredy Villanueva, 18, was shot by police on Aug. 9 as officers tried to arrest his older brother during a confrontation in Montreal North. The shooting led to widespread riots in the multicultural community and allegations of racism against Montreal police.

The plaintiffs in the $990,000 civil lawsuit are Villanueva's father, mother and two siblings. The statement of claim asks for compensation for loss of joy of life for the family.

The lawsuit was filed at the Montreal courthouse on Wednesday.

The lawyer representing the family, Peter Georges-Louis, told the Canadian Press that it is impossible to break down the total damages to the family and that the amount being claimed may be revised.

According to the statement of claim, Dany Villanueva, Fredy's older brother, is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Second lawsuit filed

Earlier this week another lawsuit connected to the incident was filed by two other men struck by bullets during the same police operation.

Denis Meas, 18, and Jeffrey Sagor Metellus, 20, are suing the city and the two police officers for $810,000.

Their suit alleges the officers acted "without any professionalism," used excessive force and were abusive and brutal.

Police officers Stéphanie Pilotte and Jean-Loup Lapointe approached a group of teens on Aug. 9 after noticing they were playing dice in a public place, in violation of municipal law.

Dany Villanueva refused to identify himself, resisted arrest and reacted aggressively, according to four eyewitnesses.

Despite orders to settle down and identify himself, the older Villanueva got close to both officers and gestured in their faces. Pilotte grabbed him by the arm to arrest him and he struggled to get away, yelling for the officer to release him.

Lapointe joined the struggle, which began to escalate as the group formed a line around the officers and protested Villanueva's arrest.

A physical altercation erupted as Dany Villanueva was taken to the ground by the constables. In the melee, Lapointe grabbed his service pistol while being struck and fired it four times, hitting Fredy twice from 38 centimetres away. Two other people were wounded.

Both officers involved in the incident were cleared of criminal charges in the shooting in December.

Inquiry delayed

The Quebec government called a public inquiry, which was scheduled to begin next Monday, after Lapointe and Pilotte were cleared of criminal responsibility.

But the inquiry, headed by retired judge Robert Sansfaçon, was postponed in early February after Villanueva's family and key witnesses threatened to boycott it because the government had not committed to paying the legal bills of Meas and Metellus,the two other men who were shot.

The Quebec coroner's office said the delay will allow parties more time to prepare.

No new start date has been set.