School sued over shooting of boy with Down syndrome

Wednesday, Dec. 15, 1999 | 11:43 a.m.

The Clark County School District and a school police officer who shot a teen with Down syndrome are being sued by the boy's legal guardian.

Rafael Herrera filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court on behalf of Peter Liriano, who was 13 when he was shot in the leg and arm while carrying a BB gun in January 1998.

The lawsuit names Jack Lazzarotto, the director of school police services, and officer Anthony Russo as defendants.

Liriano was living with his mother, Altagracia Guzman, at the time of the shooting, which occurred while the youth was walking near a local pizza parlor carrying a toy gun.

According to the lawsuit, Russo arrived on the scene after the Las Vegas police officers arrived and was "outside of his lawful jurisdiction" when he fired shots that hit Liriano.

"Liriano did not pose a threat of death or grievous bodily injury to defendants or to others," the complaint alleges.

Bill Hoffman, the district's general counsel, declined to comment on the allegations in the lawsuit. Through district spokeswoman Mary Stanley-Larsen, he said, "We intend to vigorously defend the district and its employees."

Stanley-Larsen said neither she nor Hoffman had been served with the complaint, which seeks millions of dollars in damages.