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Daughter of Starlight Casino shooting victim launches lawsuit

The daughter of the man shot during a 2012 standoff in New Westminster has launched a wrongful death lawsuit against the Delta police officer accused in the shooting. Nousha Bayrami's lawsuit against Const.
Mehrdad Bayrami
Emergency vehicles were stationed outside of Starlight Casino on Nov. 8, 2012, during a standoff with 48-year-old Mehrdad Bayrami, who was shot by police and later died in hospital.

The daughter of the man shot during a 2012 standoff in New Westminster has launched a wrongful death lawsuit against the Delta police officer accused in the shooting.

Nousha Bayrami's lawsuit against Const. Jordan MacWilliams alleges the officer shot Mehrdad Bayrami "suddenly, without warning or justification" as he was walking backwards away from police officers with his arms at his sides.

Mehrdad was rushed to Royal Columbian Hospital but succumbed to his injuries 10 days later.

MacWilliams, who was a member of the Municipal Integrated Emergency Response Team at the time, was one of several officers that responded to the Starlight Casino at around 6 a.m. on Nov. 8, 2012 after calls about a domestic disturbance and an armed man. The standoff lasted for five hours before the shooting occurred.

In her lawsuit, Nousha said she has "suffered pecuniary loss as a result of the wrongful death of her father ... and has been deprived of his love, care, guidance and support."

The Independent Investigations Office looked into the shooting and last year chief civilian director Richard Rosenthal forwarded a report to Crown counsel. As a result of the report, last month the Crown announced a second-degree murder charge against MacWilliams.

MacWilliams was released on bail following an initial appearance in B.C. Supreme Court Oct. 20. He is scheduled to appear in court again Dec. 18.

MacWilliams has been with the department for almost six years. He is currently on paid leave.

The Corporation of Delta has also been named as a defendant in the wrongful death lawsuit.

Neither defendant has filed a statement of defence yet.