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Family of man killed by Snohomish County deputies to file lawsuit

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. — The family of an Edmonds man shot and killed by Snohomish County deputies announced plans to file a federal lawsuit Thursday.

They say Nickolas Peters was unarmed and given contradictory commands when he was shot to death following a high-speed chase last October near Bothell.

Peters was in his boss' pickup truck with his girlfriend.  She said he was shot during a flurry of commands to put his hands up, get out of the truck and turn off the ignition.

Peters' parents dispute any notion their son endangered deputies.

"If they asked Nick to do something, he would've done it. If they asked Nick to raise his hands, he would have raised his hands,” said Peters’ mother, Jayni Peters. “Is it the policy of the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office to shoot a traffic offender who doesn't raise his hands high enough?"

The 24-year-old had warrants at the time of the shooting.  Authorities said methamphetamine, fentanyl and amphetamines were found in Peters' system.

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