Mom sues Pierce County over death of son shot by deputy

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — Pierce County and a deputy are facing an excessive force lawsuit from the family of a man fatally shot during a February 2014 traffic stop.


The News Tribune reports 21-year-old Michael Bourquin's mother Judy Burch filed the lawsuit, saying deputy Chad Helligso shooting her son violated a constitutional right to be free from excessive force.

Investigators say Helligso fired seven shots after Bourquin used pepper spray against two deputies.

Bourquin's 3-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter live with Burch. The lawsuit says she and the children have suffered as a result of the death.

Pierce County sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer says Bourquin fought with deputies and sprayed them with pepper spray. Prosecutor Mark Lindquist said the shooting was justified.

The Medical Examiner's Office determined Bourquin had methamphetamine in his system.