AUSTIN, Texas – The family of a man shot by Austin police filed a federal lawsuit against the city and three police officers.

The fatal police shooting happened two years ago outside the man’s home south austin.

“Rajan was a quiet guy who would walk into the room and look around and approach the person who needed something,” said Ruth Moonesinghe, Rajan’s mother.

That’s how loved ones describe 33-year-old Rajan Moonesinghe.

In the early morning hours of November 15, 2022, the Austin Police Department received a call about a man pointing a rifle in the street. A caller stated that Moonesinghe was armed with a firearm and was yelling at an apparent intruder in his home.

When police arrived, they said they saw a man shoot at them inside the home, prompting APD Officer Daniel Sanchez to fire Moonesinghe was killed.

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On the two-year anniversary of his death, Moonsinghe’s family filed a 32-page wrongful-death lawsuit. The family says this was a last resort.

“We have not been able to work with the city to influence policy. We have decided that a financial disincentive is the only thing that will bring progress and force Austin to adopt de-escalation policies and provide life-saving help,” Mark said. Moonesinghe, Rajan’s brother.

The suit names the city of Austin and three APD officers: Daniel Sanchez, Stephen Market and Luis Brito as defendants.

It includes a request for unreasonable force, a failure to render aid and blames the city for a lack of preparation.

The process requires officers to prioritize de-escalation, even a financial incentive for officers who successfully de-escalate situations.

“All officers must get up-to-date and regular training to use them when someone needs life-saving help. And finally, to ensure that officers are disciplined for failure to de-escalate and fail to render aid,” said Mark.

“Our hope is that filing today’s lawsuit will get the attention of the city, get the attention of APD, and rally support behind the idea that we deserve better as citizens of Austin than what the Moonesinghe family got,” Jay Ellwanger said. , the lawyer representing the family.

Rajan was the founder of Austin-based technology company InKind. The family says they are committed to using the funds from the lawsuit to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else.

That day still sticks with his family two years later.

“The bullet holes aren’t there. The blood stains are on the cement. But, you know, every time I walk up here, I see those things. You can’t get them out of your mind,” Mark said.

APD has previously said it will continue to support Sanchez as this process moves forward.

Officer Sanchez has been criminally charged for this shooting. Sanchez is due to go on trial in March 2025.

Sanchez’s attorney previously said his force was reasonable.

“Mr. Moonesinghe was shooting in a dangerous neighborhood, and when he turned Officer Sanchez over, he had no choice but to use deadly force to protect himself and other people in the neighborhood,” said Brad Heilman, attorney representing Officer Sanchez.

FOX 7 Austin has reached out to the city for comment and said they are working on a response.