COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) — The family of Alex Martinez-Sarmiento, a 26-year-old shot and killed by a Colorado Springs police officer last July, has filed a lawsuit against the department.
An officer shot Martinez-Sarmiento in the back outside a downtown nightclub. Police were responding to a report of a man with a rifle.
Body camera video shows an officer pointing a weapon at Martinez-Sarmiento and telling him to put his hands up. The video shows him putting his hands up before running away. The officer then shot him in the back.
Watch our previous coverage from when the district attorney's office ruled the shooting justified
Investigators found a handgun in his waistband but never found a rifle.
The district attorney ruled the shooting justified in December. Prosecutors say video showed Martinez-Sarmiento reaching for his waistband while running.
His family says he was running in fear and did nothing wrong. Their lawsuit claims the police department has a history of using excessive force against people of color.
___
This story was reported on air by a journalist and has been converted for this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
___
Downtown-goers react to Tuesday's damaging hail storm in Colorado Springs
Twigs, small branches and leaves covered the ground across Downtown Colorado Springs following Tuesday's storm.
____
Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with our free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching.
