The family of a man who fell into a coma after the attack, police LAPD, has filed a lawsuit against the city demanding $195 million compensation. According to the lawsuit, on October 28, 2018 35-year-old Alton Preston, Jr. was in the bar-lounge Hide-A-While (San Bernardino, California). The man went outside to call. His black friends someone shouted racist insults, and a fight ensued. The civil rights lawyer Carl Douglas, representing the wife of Alton won the, said at a press conference on 6 February that Preston intervened and tried to stop the fighting.
Witnesses said that at this moment someone hit Preston over the head with a beer bottle, knocking him off his feet. The same man then hit Preston «heavy metal sign» on the head «as he lay on the ground defenseless.»
The lawsuit States that the attack was involved the duty officer Ricardo Dominguez and «other unknown employees of the police Department of Los Angeles», which were not at that moment in the service. Although not specifically identify who attacked Preston, witnesses identified Dominguez as the man who hit Preston with a bottle. About this Douglas said at a press conference.
Now Preston is in a coma with severe head injuries.
#BREAKING Family of African American man alleges off-duty #LAPD police officer Ricardo Dominguez viciously beat 35 y/o Alton W. Preston Jr. a husband and father of two who was trying to be a Good Samaritan. Alton Preston Jr. has been in a coma since Oct. 28 followng the beating. pic.twitter.com/RrEgV57oua
— Jasmyne Cannick (@Jasmyne) December 6, 2019
The lawsuit also said that Dominguez and other unknown officers, among whom are African-American, was attacked at Preston, on the basis of racist motives.
According to the lawyer, Dominguez is a dangerous and cruel COP who has long been involved in unjustified, illegal and excessive violence, especially when he is not on the service and drink alcohol. In the past he was punished and removed from service due to domestic violence and alcohol abuse.
The police later provided «false and misleading» information about the incident. At the moment in the attack on Preston yet no one was charged.
The father of 2 children is in a coma for almost 3 months, the lawyer filed a lawsuit asking for compensation in the amount of $195 million, which according to him reflects the seriousness of the case. Also created a page on GoFundMe to help the victim’s family to cope with financial difficulties. Police control of the San Bernardino and Upland notified about a possible lawsuit.
«I promised this family that we will seek justice not only for Alton Preston, Jr., not only for Raheny Preston, but also for their children,» — said Douglas — «This statement will be the beginning of the struggle.»
