A former hostage who survived a harrowing bank robbery last summer has filed a legal claim against the City of Stockton, blaming its police force for causing the situation’s deadly escalation.
Kelly Huber was one of three people taken hostage in July at a Bank of the West branch, where she was working as a manager. Huber managed to survive the ordeal, despite a gunshot wound which occurred during a shootout with police. Customer Misty Holt-Singh, however, was fatally wounded by the gunfire.
Huber’s lawyers claim the shootout could have been avoided were it not for the actions of police.
"They would've left without Kelly, without anyone else, had the police not confronted them," claims her attorney Michael Dyer.
Huber is seeking $500,000 for injuries and lost wages. Holt-Singh’s relatives say they will also file a claim.
The city has said it cannot comment on the matter. In an earlier news conference about the incident, however, Police Chief Eric Jones claimed police were responding to shots fired first at officers from one of the suspects.
Read more about the incident here.