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Delta cop sued by daughter of man shot near New Westminster casino

Merhdad Bayrami died after a standoff that ended in shooting in 2012.
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Police were called to the area around Starlight Casino in New Westminster Nov. 8

The daughter of a man shot to death during a standoff outside a New Westminster casino two years ago is suing a Delta Police officer accused of firing the deadly shot.

The lawsuit filed by Nousha Bayrami accuses Const. Jordan MacWilliams of shooting her dad, Merhdad Bayrami, "without warning or justification" at Starlight Casino in November 2012.

Merhdad Bayrami was shot in the stomach after a five-hour confrontation with the regional ERT (emergency response team) Nov. 8. Police had been called to the scene at 6 a.m. that day after a report of shots being fired, and arrived to find Bayrami armed and apparently distraught.

He was taken to hospital after being shot and died 10 days later.

His daughter alleges her dad was "walking backwards away from the peace officers with both arms by his sides" when he was shot. Her father's death, she claims in her suit, has deprived her of love, guidance and support.

The Corporation of Delta, MacWilliams' employer, is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit. None of the accusations have been proven in court and neither of the defendants have filed a statement of defence.

Last month, MacWilliams was charged with second-degree murder in connection to the shooting, following an inquiry by the province's Independent Investigation Office (IIO). He is now on paid administrative leave from the Delta Police Department.

- with files from CTV