Att'y For Doug Zerby's Familymembers Holds News Conference, Offers His Description Disputing PD's Version Of Fatal Officer Involved Shooting, Will File Lawsuits Under Fed'l & State Law And Seek Fed'l Civil Rights Investigation

"We have confirmed through other eyewitnesses that there were at least five to six police officers on the scene at the time of the shooting, possibly more, it could have been upwards of seven or so. We've also confirmed, we believe, that at least three officers shot at Doug Zerby, possibly four, we're not sure," attorney Brian Claypool said.

Mr. Claypool disputed LB Police Chief's Jim McDonnell's two-handed, arms extended stance that police say precipitated the Dec. 12 officer-involved shooting.

Noting that LBPD has acaknowledged that Mr. Zerby was seated when he was shot, Mr. Claypool said that based on the wounds he observed and the information he has gathered, he believes that Mr. Zerby's arms weren't in an arms extended two-handed shooting grip (as in photo left below), a stance previously indicated by Police Chief McDonnell at Dec. 13 news conference, but were lowered down and that Mr. Zerby turned in response to hearing a sound, as in photo right below.

Mr. Claypool said the shooting was "completely avoidable" and added, "It's not a tragedy, it was a ambush; not a tragedy, but it was a flat out ambush on Doug Zerby. This man never had a chance on December 12, 2010."

"It's our position that members of the Long Beach Police Department had at least 10 to 15 minutes after arriving at the scene to attempt to communicate with Doug Zerby," Mr. Claypool said.

Flanked by family members at McKenzie's Mortuary, Mr. Claypool told reporters that his investigators have gathered information in the case and he personally observed Mr. Zerby's body as it was examined by the Coroner's office.

To view LBReport.com extended video coverage of the news conference, click here.

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