DOWNEY - Dozens of friends and family members of Michael Nida, the 31-year-old South Gate resident fatally shot by Downey Police last month, protested during Tuesday night's City Council meeting, demanding to know why Nida was shot and killed when he had no weapon.Nida was a suspect in an ATM robbery and twice fled from police before he was fatally shot, authorities said. Police officials confirmed he was unarmed. The shooting is under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Friends and family of Nida called for reforms at the Downey Police Department, including the resignations of the police chief and mayor. Protestors questioned why officers didn't use non-lethal force on Nida, who was shot three times near Paramount Boulevard and Lyndora Street. Nida's mother, Jean Thaxton, was also outraged that the city of Downey billed her $1,600 for ambulance services. "You should all be ashamed," Thaxton told council members. Protestors vowed to return at all future meetings "until justice is served."

********** Published: November 10, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 30