The Region - News from Nov. 28, 1985

A $5-million wrongful-death suit has been filed against Los Angeles by the family of a bus driver who was shot and killed by police. Relatives of Danny Smith joined with the Equal Rights Congress, a civil rights organization, in demanding prosecution of the five officers involved in the shooting. Smith, 34, was shot seven times in front of his South Los Angeles home Oct. 10 by members of the Los Angeles and Culver City police departments. The police officers, who said they thought they heard a sliding gun bolt, said they fired after Smith failed to raise his hands as ordered. No weapon was found on Smith. Smith’s family and the Equal Rights Congress are calling for “police accountability” in a least 11 other cases of officer-involved deaths or alleged abuse in the last four months. Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl F. Gates called the allegations ridiculous.