Woman suing Delta cop accused of fatally shooting her dad

Casino standoff

A B.C. woman whose father was shot to death during a police confrontation in New Westminster two years ago is suing the officer accused of pulling the trigger.

Nousha Bayrami’s lawsuit alleges that Delta Police Const. Jordan MacWilliams opened fire on her dad Mehrdad Bayrami “without warning or justification” following a five-hour standoff outside the Starlight Casino in November 2012.

The suit claims Bayrami was “walking backwards away from the peace officers with both arms by his sides” when he was shot.

Bayrami was rushed to hospital but succumbed to his injuries more than a week later. His death deprived his daughter of love, guidance and support, according to her lawsuit.

Police were called to the casino around 6 a.m. with reports of a domestic dispute in the parking lot. Witnesses said they saw a woman dragged screaming into the bushes.

Bayrami was armed during the lengthy standoff that ensued, and police said he appeared distraught and held the gun to his own head.

B.C.’s police watchdog, the Independent Investigations Office, was called to probe the deadly shooting. Few details of the investigation have been released, but MacWilliams was charged last month with second-degree murder in the case.

The officer was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court next on Dec. 18.

MacWilliams’s employer, the Corporation of Delta, is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit against him.

Neither of the defendants have filed a statement of defence.