A California man shot by police after they thought his cellphone was a gun has received nearly $3 million in damages.
On Jan. 11, 2018, multiple officers from the Los Angeles Police Department fired at Dexter Hubert White, a Black man. He filed a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles and its police department. Three officers — James Quinata, Davin Aquino and Rodolfo Sarmiento — were also listed as defendants, among others who weren’t identified.
The day the incident happened, White visited his music manager’s residence in the city but left after a verbal dispute, according to court records obtained by Atlanta Black Star. Police responded to the scene after a 911 call and asked the manager if White had a knife; they reportedly told them no.
The Los Angeles Times reported a different narrative. The report said White was arguing with the daughter of a woman with whom he had a romantic relationship. Unbeknownst to them, she went to the neighbor’s house and called the police, claiming that there was a stabbing, a story she later recalled.
Minutes later, when White returned to the area near 40th Place and Walton Avenue, he was approached by two officers, one being Aquino.
“Upon information and belief, Officer Quinata, realizing that White did not have a weapon and was not a danger to anyone, approached White,” the lawsuit said. “Within seconds of the interaction, two other patrol vehicles arrived on scene, including Officers Sarmiento and Aquino. The officers exited their vehicles with guns already drawn, and began shooting within less than five seconds of parking their patrol vehicles.”
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