Family of woman shot by officer files lawsuit

CINCINNATI, OH (FOX19) - The family of a woman who was shot and killed by a Cincinnati Police officer has filed a lawsuit.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday against the Cincinnati Police Department and Officer Matthew Latzy, who shot and killed Erica Collins, 26, while responding to a domestic dispute on Oct. 13 at Collins' home in Mt. Airy. Collins was armed with a butcher's knife.

Officer Latzy told Collins to drop the knife, but she did not. Collins told officers that she was going to use the knife to slash her sister's tires. She was shot twice - once in the head and once in the chest.

The lawsuit claims wrongful death.

"The wanton or reckless acts or omissions of Defendants Latzy directly and proximately caused the death of Erica Collins," it states.

The family is seeking damages to be determined at a trial by jury. Collins' attorney, Eric Deters, says, "will be adding claims against the City based upon white officers killing blacks," and asking the Justice Department to get involved.

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