SACRAMENTO — Five family members are suing Bakersfield police, alleging battery, excessive force, liability, negligence and wrongful death.
Rubia Rosaura Serna, Laura Quintana, Francisco J. Serna, Jesus Serna and Rogelio Serna filed a complaint Sept. 27 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California against the city of Bakersfield, Reagan Selman and Does 1-25, alleging they negligently used deadly force against an unarmed man.
According to the complaint, on Dec. 12, 2016, the plaintiffs suffered fright, shock and mental anguish when Francisco Serna, 73 was fatally shot by Bakersfield police officer Selman while Serna was wandering the streets. The suit says the plaintiffs were deprived of the love, companionship, comfort, support and care of the their father and husband as a result of the wrongful acts of the defendants who shot multiple times at an unarmed man with dementia.
The plaintiffs allege the defendants failed to properly assess the need to use deadly force, failed to properly train and supervise its agents, and employed agents who had dangerous propensities for abuse of authority and use of excessive force.
The plaintiffs seek trial by jury, compensatory, punitive and statutory damages, funeral and burial expenses, interest, attorney fees, costs of suit and all relief the court deems just. They are represented by attorneys Lazaro Salazar of Lazaro Salazar Law Inc. in Fresno and by Ara Jabagchourian of Law Office of Ara Jabagchourian in San Mateo.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California case number 17-C-01290