Family Of Man Killed By Police In Chestnut Hill Files Lawsuit

CHESTNUT HILL, MA — The family of a man who was shot dozens of times by police in Chestnut Hill along Route 9 has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against five Boston police officers, a state trooper and the city of Boston.

In February, after brandishing what was later revealed to be a BB gun near Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Juston Root, 41, lead police on a chase to Chestnut Hill's The Street where he crashed the car he was driving before police shot him more than 30 times.

Because Root appeared to pull a gun on officers, Norfolk DA ruled that the police's use of force was justified. Root's family told reporters that something other than lethal force should have been used on him after he stumbled, bleeding from the car.

The family is asking for "compensatory and punitive damages for violations of Mr. Roots’ civil rights" and are asking the case be reopened for an independent investigation.

In a press conference Tuesday, Root's family said he had been diagnosed with schizoaffective and bipolar disorders, the Associated Press reported.

Previously:

• Police Chase Ends With Crash, Shooting On Rt. 9 In Brookline ...
• Hotel Valet Worker Critical, Suspect Dead In Related ...

• Boston Police Officer Shot Valet Worker At Hospital: DA
• Rt 9 Fatal Shooting In Brookline: DA Rules Police Were ...