LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The family of a 65-year-old Roy Anthony Scott has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Scott died on March 3, 2019, during an encounter with LVMPD at an apartment complex on El Conlon Avenue. .
According to the lawsuit, Scott called police because he believed there were suspicious people outside of his apartment.
However, the situation escalated after police officers arrived and Scott was eventually placed into custody. Several minutes later, he died.
RELATED: Man's death while in custody ruled accidental
According to the lawsuit, Scott said “please” 63 times over eight minutes before becoming motionless on the ground.
The lawsuit also alleges that Scott never received chest compressions from the officers on the scene and it took about 9 minutes for an ambulance to arrive.
On March 20, the Clark County coroner ruled his cause of death as methamphetamine intoxication.
The lawsuit was filed by Scott’s daughter Rochelle Scott and Fredrick Waid, who is the court-appointed co-special administrator of the estate of Roy Scott.
The lawsuit also names the two officers who were involved — Kyle Smith and Theodore Huntsman. Additionally, the lawsuit includes several other officers only identified as “DOES” because their names are unknown to the plaintiffs.
SIMILAR STORY: Las Vegas police reportedly reach $2.2M settlement with family of Tashii Farmer
The lawsuit also alleges that the police officers drew Scott out of his apartment, despite being told they could leave by a sergeant, and were aware of his mental condition after he told them repeatedly that he was paranoid.
Additionally, when Scott reportedly told the officers that he could not turn around as commanded because of his paranoia, he was allegedly told that he was “fine” and the officers said they did not believe him.
Scott’s pleading with the officers was captured by body cam. The body cam also shows an officer with his knee on Scott’s neck and back.
Scott’s last words were to reportedly request water, after which his hands and feet began to twitch. Within 30 seconds of asking for water, Scott became still and silent.
The plaintiffs are asking for punitive damages, attorney fees and compensation for funeral and burial expenses.
13 Action News has reached out to LVMPD for a statement.
