A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against the Government of Guam in connection with a 2022 police shooting. The estate of Luke Imaizumi Atoigue is seeking damages, claiming that his death was preventable.

The estate has filed a government claim in superior court, alleging negligence in his fatal police-involved shooting. The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday argues that Atoigue, who had a mental illness, was "needlessly shot and killed" by Guam Police Department officers in 2022. 

As KUAM reported an independent investigative team report released by the Office of the Attorney General, police were justified in the April 8, 2022, early morning shooting. The report details a nearly half-hour high-speed chase through multiple villages, ending at the intersection of Route 16 and Harmon Loop Road, where Atoigue exited the vehicle and pointed a weapon at officers. Investigators state that an unidentified officer fired a single shot, striking Atoigue in the chest.

An autopsy confirmed the cause of death as a gunshot wound. Then-attorney general Leevin Camacho stated that video footage and witness statements supported the use of force, and the case was closed without a grand jury presentation. It was later determined that Atoigue had been holding an airsoft weapon resembling a Colt M4 carbine rifle.

The lawsuit accuses the responding officers of negligence, including the shooting officer and those at the scene. It also claims the department failed to properly train officers on handling situations involving individuals with disabilities.

KUAM News reached out to GPD for comment, but have not received a response as of news time.