SAN FRANCISCO — Graphic video of Oscar J. Grant III's death at an Oakland train station has roiled emotions in the Bay Area, leading to a demonstration at Bay Area Rapid Transit district headquarters and calls for more oversight of the agency's police force.
The family of the 22-year-old father, who was shot to death by a BART police officer early on New Year's Day, filed a $25-million wrongful death claim against the agency Tuesday.
John L. Burris, the long-time civil rights attorney representing Grant's family, called the death "the worst I've ever seen in a shooting case" and said that it "cries out for criminal prosecution."
In amateur videos, the BART officer can be seen shooting the unarmed man in the back as he lay face down while other officers restrained him.
BART spokesman Linton Johnson said in an e-mail that "we have received the claim, and we are carefully reviewing it but cannot comment on it."
In an earlier written statement, BART Police Chief Gary Gee said his agency was "committed to complete an unbiased and thorough investigation" and asked the public to "refrain from jumping to conclusions" about the circumstances surrounding Grant's death.
"We want to express our condolences to the family of Oscar Grant," Gee said. "I want to assure Mr. Grant's family and the public that we are taking this investigation very seriously."
The Alameda County district attorney's office is also investigating, Gee said.
BART officials have not publicly identified the officer involved in the shooting but described him as a two-year veteran of the agency's police force. He underwent drug and alcohol testing after the incident and is on paid administrative leave, Gee said, "which is standard procedure."
But the claim filed Tuesday by Grant's mother and 4-year-old daughter identifies Johannes Mehserle as the BART officer who "stood over Mr. Grant and mercilessly fired his weapon, mortally wounding Mr. Grant with a single gunshot wound to the back."
Mehserle could not be reached for comment.
BART spokesman Johnson said late Tuesday that the officer has not given a statement to BART officials or to the district attorney's office because his lawyers have not made him available. "We're hoping soon to get an interview," Johnson said, adding that the officer has "received death threats and has moved twice."
