Eric Cheddaman Reason, 38, was killed on November 10, 2019, after a dispute over a parking space at a Valero station at Fairgrounds and Sereno drives in Vallejo, California. Surveillance footage shows the argument escalating; Reason reportedly retrieved a pistol from his vehicle and began to walk away when off-duty Richmond police Sgt. Virgil Thomas drew his weapon and fired multiple shots, fatally wounding Reason.

Reason’s family filed a wrongful death suit against the cities of Vallejo and Richmond, several police officials, and Thomas’ estate. The complaint alleges Vallejo officers failed to secure the scene, allowed Thomas to remain and take photos of Reason’s body, and that other officers entered the scene without legitimate law enforcement purpose. The family describes the shooting as cold-blooded murder and disputes any claim of justification.

Thomas, a 24-year Richmond police veteran, died in August 2020 of COVID-19 complications. The lawsuit is a central part of the family’s pursuit of accountability. Does anyone have more information about the surveillance footage or what witnesses at the Valero described?