Family of Man Shot by Police Files Claim

The family of a man shot and killed by an Oxnard SWAT team sharpshooter in January filed a $1.5-million claim against the city this week--a first step in the process of filing a lawsuit against the city.

Lawyer Victor Salas filed a claim on behalf of the family of Larry Pankey, who was shot and killed Jan. 13 after a four-hour standoff with police.

Although Pankey was unarmed when he was shot, police said after the incident that he had reached for his waistband, where officers say he was carrying a handgun earlier in the day.

Pankey’s wife, Terri, said after the shooting that her husband had never posed a threat to officers, and that the shooting was unjustified.

Contacted Friday, Terri Pankey said she was “totally at a loss for words” about the shooting.

Police officials said an investigation continues into the incident, which will eventually be reviewed by the district attorney’s office.

The city of Oxnard has a month to reply to the claim and can decide to settle with the family, reject the claim, or ignore it. If the city ignores or rejects the claim, the family will probably file a lawsuit, their attorney said.