The Region - News from June 18, 1986

The family of a man who was shot to death by Los Angeles police officers in a chase last year filed a wrongful-death suit against the officers and the city, claiming that he was shot without provocation. Police reports said William L. Phillips, 38, of Los Angeles was speeding on Sunset Boulevard on Dec. 23, 1985, prompting several officers to give chase. When Phillips’ car and that of the officers became stuck in traffic, two of the officers walked up to Phillips, who then sped off again. Two different officers attempted to stop the car farther up the street. Officer Sean McGee, believing that his partner had been run over by Phillips, fired a shot that fatally wounded Phillips in the head, the reports said. The suit, filed by his mother, Myrtle R. Phillips, and two sisters, seeks unspecified damages.