US Policeman Shot Dead Black Woman Who Sought Help for Domestic Violence, Triggers $30M Claim

A 27-year-old Black woman from Los Angeles was fatally shot by a police officer who was responding to a domestic violence call. Niani Finlayson, who called 911 to report about her boyfriend, died after being shot by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy Ty Shelton, who claimed she was armed with a kitchen knife.

On December 4, police responded to a domestic violence call on East Avenue J-8 in the city of Lancaster. When they arrived at her home, deputies encountered her armed with a kitchen knife. Despite attempts to de-escalate, a deputy-involved shooting occurred. Finlayson, hit by gunfire, received medical aid but died in the hospital.

LA Homicide investigators are now probing the incident, with oversight from external agencies. The LA District Attorney’s Office is reviewing potential criminal charges, and Deputy Shelton’s actions are being evaluated for departmental policy adherence.

“The Department has not officially received this claim but takes all deputy-involved shootings seriously,” the sheriff’s department told CNN in a statement.  “With any deputy-involved shooting there is a robust review process, which includes the Office of Inspector General, where every aspect of the shooting is thoroughly examined and evaluated to see if Department policies and procedures were followed.”

Meanwhile, the family of a woman who was killed is seeking USD 30 million in a claim filed Thursday against Los Angeles County and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The family is accusing police of wrongful death, assault, battery and civil rights violations. The claim filed on behalf of the family said Finlayson had “called for help because her former boyfriend was strangling her” and had hurt her young daughter.

Notably, Shelton was named in an LA police department review of a fatal shooting in 2020 while responding to a domestic disturbance. LA County District Attorney later determined there was insufficient evidence to prove he acted unlawfully in that incident. “I’m seeking justice, I want this cop Ty Shelton to be held accountable for the death of my daughter, I want the sheriff’s department of LA County held accountable,” Finlayson’s father, Lamont Finlayson was quoted as saying by CNN.