Rights Suit Filed in Killing of 2 Samoans by Police

A civil rights suit asking at least $100 million in damages was filed Wednesday by attorneys for the family of two unarmed Samoan brothers who were shot to death in February by a Compton police officer. The suit against the city was filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.

Pouvi Tualaulelei, 34, and his brother, Italia, 22, a football player at El Camino College, were shot by Officer Alfred Skiles. He was sent to their home on North Grandee Avenue to investigate a domestic dispute reported by the elder brother’s wife.

A third brother who witnessed the shooting through a kitchen window has said that the two were shot after obeying Skiles’ orders to drop to their knees. Compton police have said Skiles told them that one or both of the men tried to take his gun. Skiles is on a paid administrative leave that he requested, Police Cmdr. Hourie Taylor said.