Family of Fairbanks man killed by police prepares lawsuit

The family of a 20-year-old Fairbanks man who was killed by police says they are preparing a wrongful death lawsuit against Alaska authorities.

The Juneau Empire reports three Alaska State Troopers and two Fairbanks police officers fired upon Cody Eyre in December 2017.

Troopers say Eyre "brandished his firearm toward law enforcement officers," resulting in police opening fire.

According to an independent autopsy report, Eyre was shot 12 times, dying from the wound to the back of his head.

The family's lawyer Mark Choate says he is planning to file the lawsuit within the next 30 days, claiming troopers and Fairbanks police violated Eyre's civil rights.

John Skidmore, director of the Alaska Department of Law, declined to comment on the specifics of the case, saying the investigation is still open.