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Family Of Antwon Rose Files Federal Wrongful Death Lawsuit

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EAST PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The family of Antwon Rose II has filed a federal wrongful death civil lawsuit against East Pittsburgh, the mayor, the police chief and Officer Michael Rosfeld.

The lawsuit was filed by Rose' parents and their attorneys in U.S. District Court late Wednesday night

"I think when you're looking at a system-wide failure, you have to attack the system from the head down," said attorney Fred Rabner.

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Rabner is representing the Rose family and said East Pittsburgh should expect to see the lawsuit sometime Thursday.

"This suit essentially is to seek answers, how and why this could happen primarily. Secondly, obviously to seek justice," said Rabner.

In the suit, Rose's parents said Officer Michael Rosfeld used excessive and deadly force resulting in the unlawful shooting death of their son.

The suit goes on to say Rosfeld pulled over a car in which Rose was a passenger. Without waiting for backup to arrive, he immediately drew his weapon and began to shout menacing and hostile orders at the occupants.

It alleges that Rosfeld's tone and demeanor was so aggressive that it caused the occupants in the car, including Rose, to fear for their lives.

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"Rosfeld was in no immediate danger. No one else was in immediate danger when he fired the shots into the back of young Antwon Rose. We also feel he didn't follow proper police procedure. He acted alone rather than wait for backup," said Rabner.

Rabner said the borough of East Pittsburgh needs to be held responsible, too.

"There was absolutely no vetting process. No checks and balances in the hiring of this officer. There was almost no training of this officer, not standard operating procedures for the East Pittsburgh Police Department, which is unacceptable," said Rabner.

The Rose family is asking for unspecified damages as well as punitive damages and other costs, but most of all, Rabner said they want to focus on one thing.

"They want to bring light to this problem in our country, they want answers about how this could happen, they want justice and a long lasting memory of their son to endure forever," said Rabner.

No one from the borough of East Pittsburgh would comment and neither would Rosfeld's criminal attorney, who is preparing a defense on criminal homicide charges.

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