An unarmed man who lost a quarter of his skull after being shot by police in Los Angeles is planning to sue the city.
Walter DeLeon has filed a notice of claim accusing Officer Cairo Palacios of shooting him without warning as he walked through a popular park in June.
DeLeon spent the next five months in hospital where he underwent 10 surgeries. He now requires full-time care after losing almost all of his eyesight and the ability to walk.
"My whole life was turned upside-down," DeLeon told AP through tears.
Shortly after the shooting a police spokesperson said Officer Palacios and his partner were driving when they saw DeLeon walking towards them with his hands clasped together and wrapped in a gray cloth.
Palacios' lawyer said the two were convinced DeLeon was hiding a gun.
"He basically forced their hand to deal with him," said Palacios' lawyer Gary Fullerton. "In the matter of a couple seconds they have to make a choice, and the choice is, 'Do I let him shoot me first and then fire?' or 'Do I shoot first and defend myself?'"
Police said DeLeon was shot after ignoring orders to drop the gun, but his attorney said he was only carrying a towel to wipe himself down before trying to get the attention of the officers. DeLeon can't remember why he did so.
DeLeon is demanding Palacios face criminal charges and that the department take steps to make sure these kinds of shootings don't happen again.
An internal investigation has seen Palacios taken off the streets, but he's still working at the department.
"This is the most catastrophic of catastrophic injuries and it affects every aspect of life," said DeLeon's attorney, Ben Meiselas.
"It's a total destruction of self and self-worth, and the only way to rebuild is through this process we're initiating."
DeLeon, who is seeking unspecified damages, still has his memory and most cognitive functions but has trouble speaking.
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