Hundreds gather to remember Charleena Lyles at vigil

SEATTLE — Hundreds gathered Thursday to remember Charleena Lyles at a vigil held at Magnuson Park in Seattle. She was a pregnant mother of four who was fatally shot three years ago after calling Seattle police to report a burglary at her apartment.

>>Police release interview transcripts of officers involved in Charleena Lyles case

During the vigil, Lyles’ cousin laid out several demands, including that the police department be defunded by at least 50% and reinvesting the funds into the community.

Lyles’ family also wants officers Jason Anderson and Steven McNew to drop their lawsuits against King County, which the family said is preventing the inquest from proceeding.

On the night officers arrived at Lyles’ place, they said she was calm and peaceful at first, but then she suffered a mental breakdown.

Police said she grabbed at least one kitchen knife and lunged at them, leaving them no choice but to fire shots, killing her.

In the aftermath, family members sued the officers involved in the case, as well as the city of Seattle.

>> Lawsuit against officers who shot Charleena Lyles has been dismissed

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