LAPD faces federal civil rights lawsuit filed by family of Yong Yang, who was shot and killed by an LAPD officer during a 2024 mental health crisis call at the family home.
The family of a man shot and killed by Los Angeles police has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the department, claiming the officers were negligent during a mental health crisis call in May 2024.
On May 2, 2024, officers shot 40-year-old Yong Yang multiple times at the family home. This announcement came on Saturday, May 2, 2026, marking the two-year anniversary of his death.
The family gathered outside the federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles to announce the lawsuit. Yin Yang, the victim's twin brother, spoke at the event.
"I had every intention of living the rest of my life with my brother by my side. They took that away from me. They took that away from me, and I can't tell you how hard that's been," said Yin Yang.
According to the family, they called the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health for Yang, who was suffering from a severe bipolar episode. A DMH clinician then called LAPD, and within minutes, officers forced entry into the home and fatally shot Yang three times in the living room.
Police claim Yang was armed with a large kitchen knife when they responded to his home.
The family's attorney, Dale K. Galipo, said the officers rushed in without a plan and failed to use tactics to de-escalate the mental health crisis.
"He needed you to escort him to the hospital. Not kill him inside his own parents' house," Yin Yang said.
Yang's twin brother added, "You guys think like two years is going to make us forget. But look at all these people. We haven't forgotten. We're never going to stop until there's justice."
The lawsuit alleges the LAPD has inadequate de-escalation training with respect to mental health calls and continues to ratify unlawful killings by its officers. It also claims the City of Los Angeles maintains an unlawful custom of forcing entry into individuals' homes when they are experiencing mental health crises and unreasonably using deadly force against them.
Last year, the LAPD Police Commission voted 5-0 saying the officer who shot and killed Yang, Andres Lopez, acted inappropriately leading up to the shooting. However, the commission voted 3-2 that Lopez reasonably believed his life was in danger when he opened fire.
The Yang family has a pending state court lawsuit against LAPD that they expect will go to trial this fall.
"I'd rather have my brother back and let this world keep being the same world and have my brother," Yin Yang said. "But since he's gone, at least there better be some change happening because of his death. Something good better come out of this."
Eyewitness News reached out to LAPD for comment, and the agency said it does not respond to pending court cases.
This article was generated with AI assistance.