Family and Estate of Dontaze Storey v. Daniel Bunch

The Family and Estate of Dontaze Storey, age 47, sued Los Angeles Police Department officer Daniel Bunch on a civil rights violation theory under 42 U.S.C. 1983 claiming that the officer used excessive force when he shot and killed Storey on November 11, 2008. Officers Daniel Bunch and Oliver Malabuya responded to a 911 call that an assault and battery at a Rite-Aid store. Bunch claimed that he shot Storey when he turned toward him with a silver-colored object the he believed to be a gun in his hand. It was later determined that the object was a cell phone.

Both officers fired at Storney including six shots by Bunch and Malabuya three times from as close as 10 feet. Storey was shot in the back.

Plaintiff's verdict for $750,000.00 against Bunch only.