FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) The family of a man fatally shot by a deputy sheriff is suing, saying he used excessive force when he fired through a garage door.
The lawsuit filed Wednesday in state court says 30-year-old Gregory Hill Jr. was shot by St. Lucie County deputy Christopher Newman two years ago after Newman and another deputy responded to a complaint that Hill was playing music loudly.
The lawsuit says Newman and deputy Edward Lopez pounded on Hill's front door. Hill pushed up the garage door.
Attorney John Phillips says Lopez yelled Hill had a gun. He says Hill was pulling the garage door down when Newman fired. Lopez didn't fire. An unloaded gun was found in Hill's back pocket.
The St. Lucie sheriff's office didn't immediately respond to a call for comment.
