[snipped] http://www.kcal.com/Global/story.asp?S=357692&nav=0Rz3 # # June 7, 2001 # # LOS ANGELES - Attorneys Johnnie Cochran and Cameron Steward Monday # announced the filing of a wrongful death complaint against the # city of Los Angeles and the LAPD arising out of the shooting # death of an actor at a Halloween party last year. # # The 39-year-old actor from Van Nuys was shot several times while # attending a Halloween party at a mansion in Benedict Canyon. # The police had been summoned by someone who complained of # excessive noise. # # "As the officers were walking along an exterior walkway, Officer # Hopper looked through a glass door and observed three individuals # inside a small room," according to a Los Angeles Police Department # statement. # # "When one of the individuals observed the officers, he suddenly # produced what appeared to be a handgun and pointed it directly # at Officer Hopper," the statement continued. "Officer Hopper, # in fear for his life, fired several rounds from his service # pistol, wounding the suspect." # # The coroner's report, obtained by the Los Angeles Times, found # Anthony Dwain Lee had been shot once in the back of the head # and three times in the back. # # The findings appeared to contradict the police department's quick # and confident defense of officer Tarriel Hopper, who was # dispatched to the late- night mansion party in Benedict Canyon # based on neighbors' noise complaints. # # LAPD Lt. Horace Frank told The Times the four shots to the back # "can be explained." But he said the explaining would be done # after the department has time to read the coroner's report.