Wayne Lynch, the father of Pharrell's cousin Donovan, is suing City of Virginia Beach and officer Solomon Simmons, who is the alleged shooter, for shooting his 25-year-old son 'unlawfully and without warning.'
- Jun 24, 2021
AceShowbiz - Pharrell Williams' family is taking their grief to the court. Following the fatal shooting of his cousin Donovan Lynch, a family member of the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter has filed a $50 million federal lawsuit.
Wayne Lynch, the father of Pharrell's late cousin, filed the lawsuit in the Eastern District of Virginia on Monday, June 21. In the suit, he names the City of Virginia Beach as well as city cop Solomon Simmons III, who had not previously been identified as the shooter, as defendants.
According to the suit, Donovan was a victim of "arbitrary, deadly violence by the police." It details that the 25-year-old was innocently walking to his car with friends after a night out when "officer Simmons was on his way to respond to an incident in which Mr. Lynch was not a suspect and not involved."
"Mr. Lynch posed no threat to Officer Simmons or anyone else," the lawsuit states, adding that Donovan, who was described as a "gentle giant," was shot twice "immediately, unlawfully, and without warning" by the officer.
The suit also takes aim at the City of Virginia Beach, alleging that the city failed to properly train officers on the use of deadly force and other techniques that would have prevented Donovan's death.
Wayne is seeking $50 million plus costs on seven counts, including wrongful death, excessive force and gross negligence. He is also suing the officer for $350,000.
Pharrell first revealed his cousin's tragic death in late March after Donovan was identified as one of the victims during a violent night in the coastal city on March 26. "The loss of these lives is a tragedy beyond measure," the "Happy" singer mourned his cousin's passing on Twitter. "My cousin Donovon was killed during the shootings."
Demanding explanation for Donovan's death, the 48-year-old added, "It is critical my family and the other victims' families get the transparency, honesty and justice they deserve." He later spoke up about the funeral, "We had to bury my cousin on my birthday. It was bittersweet. The way he died was bitter. Where he is right now is sweet."
