Claim filed in police shooting

The mother of a man who was shot and killed by Huntington Beach police has filed a claim against the city, alleging officers used excessive force and filed a false report to cover up their mistakes.

Maria Isabel Garcia said the officers shot and killed her unarmed son, Erick Catalan, and failed to take appropriate measures to subdue the situation.

She said in her claim, filed April 4, that the officers then filed a false police report to cover up their use of excessive force.

On Nov. 1, officers shot and killed two men during a car stop at 4:27 p.m. on Hammon Place north of Westminster Boulevard. The incident took place in Westminster by Huntington Beach’s border.

A woman and two men were inside the vehicle.

The shooting took place after gang unit detectives, who police have said were investigating a suspect believed to be armed and dangerous, stopped a green four-door Lexus.

At the time of the incident, which is still being investigated by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the department said officers fired back after a gun was shot inside the vehicle. One of the two men shot was Catalan, 20, of Long Beach.

It wasn’t clear whether the men were shooting directly at the officers, the department has said. A .40-caliber handgun was found inside the car. Garcia said her son was unarmed.

The claim is being reviewed by the city, said Lt. Mitch O’Brien. Claims are precursors to lawsuits.

mona.shadia@latimes.com

Twitter: @MonaShadia