Lawsuit filed after family says man was shot and killed by LAPD during 2024 mental health crisis

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The family of a man shot and killed by Los Angeles police has filed a new federal civil rights lawsuit against the department, claiming the officers were negligent.

Back in May 2024, officers shot 40-year-old Yong Yang multiple times at the family's home. This weekend marks the two-year anniversary of his death.

On Saturday, his family gathered outside the federal courthouse in downtown L.A. to announce the lawsuit.

"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, the victim's twin brother.

The family says on May 2, 2024, they called the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) to seek medical assistance for Yang, who was suffering from a "severe bipolar episode." They said a DMH clinician 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.

"Yong was paranoid. He was afraid. He had grabbed a knife to protect himself. He was in no way trying to attack anyone or hurt anyone. And the police, without proper commands, without a warning that they were going to use deadly force, fired three shots and two volleys, killing him," said the family's attorney, Dale K. Galipo.

The family's attorney claims the officers rushed in without a plan and failed to use tactics to de-escalate Yong's mental health crisis.

"He needed you to escort him to the hospital. Not kill him inside his own parents' house," Yin Yang said. "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 forget. You can drag it out as long as you want, but we're not going to stop until there's justice."

Last year, the L.A. Police Commission voted 5-0, saying the officer who shot and killed Yang, Andres Lopez, acted inappropriately leading up to the shooting. Still, they voted 3-2 that he reasonably believed his life was in danger when he opened fire.

"The lawsuit further alleges that the City of Los Angeles maintains an unlawful custom, policy, and practice of forcing entry into individuals' homes when they are experiencing mental health crises and unreasonably using deadly force against them. The federal lawsuit further alleges that the LAPD has inadequate 'de-escalation' training with respect to mental health calls and continues to ratify unlawful killings by its officers," Galipo wrote in a press release. "The lawsuit aims to address these allegations, highlighting the critical need for reform in how law enforcement officials interact with vulnerable individuals, and to spur change in this area."

The Yang family also has a pending lawsuit against LAPD in state court. They expect it will go to trial this fall. They hope the litigation brings accountability and changes how police respond to mental health calls.

"I'd rather have my brother back and let this [expletive] world keep being the same [expletive] 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."

Yang's family also held a vigil on Saturday to honor the second anniversary of his death. They were joined by other families impacted by similar cases.

Eyewitness News reached out to LAPD for comment, and the agency said it does not respond to pending court cases.