Family members of a man shot and killed by Downey police continued to express outrage Monday over the possibility that police may have shot the wrong man.
The shooting happened Saturday night after officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at an ATM near Imperial Highway and Paramount Boulevard. The arriving officers spotted 31-year-old Michael Nida and thought he matched a description of one of the suspects.
A Downey officer ordered Nida to sit on the ground but did not search Nida for a weapon. Police say Nida got up and tried to run away.
Lt. Dave Dolson of the LA County Sheriff's Department, which is now handling the investigation, addressed why he thought Nida was not searched for a weapon.
"I believe it was not done because, during the first detention, that officer was waiting for more backup officers," Dolson said.
A second set of officers encountered Nida a short time later and again ordered him to the ground. Officers again failed to search Nida for a weapon. Investigators say he got back up and started running again, and that's when at least one officer opened fire.
"He was not armed. He had no outstanding warrants. He was not on probation," Nida's sister Terri Teramura said.
Investigators say the officer would be justified using deadly force if he feared for his safety, his partner's safety or the safety of the general public. They say running could have contributed to the officer's mindset as to guilt or innocence.
Nida was struck by at least three bullets. His family said at least two hit him in the back.
"How can that be? That’s just ludicrous," Teramura said. "How can you be threatened when somebody’s running away from you?"
Family members have set up a memorial fund to raise money for Nida's burial. The family says donations can be sent to the following address:
Michael Nida Memorial Fund
PO Box 3272
Huntington Beach, CA 92605
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