Family Files Federal Suit Over LAPD Shooting of Yong Yang

Context On May 2, 2024, Los Angeles police entered the Yang family home after a mental‑health clinician requested assistance for Yong Yang, who was experiencing a severe bipolar episode. Officers forced entry and shot the 40‑year‑old three times in the living room, killing him. The incident marks the two‑year anniversary of his death, prompting the family to gather outside the federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles to announce the lawsuit.

Key Facts - The family alleges the police acted without a de‑escalation plan, rushed the home, and used deadly force without warning. - Police reports state Yang brandished a large kitchen knife, but his twin brother Yin Yang says his sibling was “paranoid” and only holding the knife for self‑protection. - The Los Angeles Police Commission voted unanimously (5‑0) that Officer Andres Lopez acted inappropriately before the shooting, yet a narrow majority (3‑2) found he reasonably believed his life was in danger when he fired. - The lawsuit claims the city maintains an unlawful custom of forced entry during mental‑health crises and that LAPD training on de‑escalation is inadequate. - A separate state‑court suit is pending and expected to go to trial in the fall.

What It Means If the federal case proceeds, it could force the LAPD to revise policies on forced entry and mandatory de‑escalation tactics for mental‑health calls. The lawsuit also seeks monetary damages and systemic reforms, adding pressure on city officials to address longstanding concerns about police use of force. The family’s vigil, attended by other affected families, underscores a broader demand for accountability.

Watch for court filings and any policy changes the LAPD announces in response to the suit.