Family of man shot 29 times by Chicago police files suit

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The family of a Chicago man who died after being shot 29 times by Chicago police officers in 2013 filed a civil rights lawsuit against the department Wednesday.

Lenora Bonds says nothing can erase her memories of October 23, 2013.

"He was executed," Bonds says. "Why would you shoot a person 29 time?"

Bonds filed a civil rights lawsuit against the city on behalf of her late son, Terrence Harris. Harris was taking college classes and had a serious girlfriend in 2013. He had also been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

While police had helped calm Harris in the past, their final interaction with him was in a utility room in the basement. The Medical Examiner's report showed 29 bullet wounds to his body. His mother saw the report for the first time Wednesday.

"I didn't even know there was an autopsy report," she says.

"The fact that they fired 29 times, how can you call that not excessive?" says Daniel Nixa, attorney for the Harris estate.

While Bonds acknowledges she called the police that night, her account differs from that of officers.

Chicago police allege Harris had two knives, stabbed an officer in the face and would not put the knives down. The Independent Police Review Authority found the use of deadly force was justified, but with the agency under new leadership it is reviewing new allegations that police unlawfully entered the home and that Harris' mother was illegally confined.

"I was kidnapped. They needed time to get their story together," Bonds says.

Neither the Chicago Police Department nor city officials would comment on the lawsuit. Bonds had previously sued the city and her lawsuit was dismissed; she did not have an attorney at the time. Now she hopes to get answers with new legal representation.