The family of a 51-year-old Berkeley woman fatally shot by a police officer just outside her apartment Saturday night has hired Oakland attorney John Burris with the intention of filing a wrongful-death lawsuit, the lawyer said Tuesday.Berkeley police said a preliminary investigation into the shooting of Anita Gay at 1727 Ward St., where she lived with two daughters and two granddaughters, found that Officer Rashawn Cummings had been justified in opening fire.
Gay, who according to witnesses appeared drunk, raised a 10-inch knife at her adult daughters, who were standing near the door of the apartment about 8 p.m. during an argument that prompted a 911 call, said police Sgt. Mary Kusmiss, a department spokeswoman.
Burris said Tuesday that the shooting was unnecessary and reckless.
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