Police in Beavercreek, Ohio deny allegations of civil rights violations and negligence in the death of a black man who was shot by a white officer while holding an air rifle inside a Wal-Mart.
Twenty-two-year-old John Crawford III was shot Aug. 5 in Beavercreek. Police responded after a 911 caller reported a man waving what appeared to be a firearm.
Crawford's family sued in federal court after a grand jury concluded the shooting was justified. The city, its police chief and two officers named as defendants deny the family's claims and are asking a judge to dismiss the lawsuit.
Wal-Mart also is a defendant. It hasn't yet responded to the lawsuit.
Crawford's family has sought a federal investigation to see if race was a factor.