By KRWG News
Las Cruces – The family of a Las Cruces man fatally shot by police after they say he threatened them with a 4-foot Samurai sword has taken the first step to filing a lawsuit against the city.
The family of 23-year-old Lance Hummell filed a tort claim notice, the precursor to a lawsuit.
Hummell, whose nickname was "Lizard Man" because he was an exotic reptile enthusiast, was shot July 13 after Las Cruces police say he called them to report that there was a man waving a sword.
When two officers arrived, they found a shirtless Hummell allegedly threatening them with the sword.
Police say they shot him multiple times after he advanced on them and ignored orders to drop the sword.
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Information from: the Las Cruces Sun-News, http://www.lcsun-news.com/
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.