The parents of a 19-month-old killed in the crossfire during a shootout a year ago are suing the Lafayette Police Department and city of Lafayette
Kaci Cyprian died of a gunshot wound in August 2023 when officers responded to a domestic violence complaint at 106 South General Marshall St. between John Nicholas, Diamond Lee and Jowanna Washington, according to the lawsuit.
Police were notified there were children present, the lawsuit alleges, before shooting began. Police reports at the time said a man opened fire and struck two police officers. A police officer fired back and struck the alleged shooter, identified as Nicholas.
Kaci Cyprian, a woman and another child, identified by family members as Kaci’s older brother, Kaisyn Cyprian, were caught in the crossfire, Kaci Cyprian suffering a fatal gunshot wound to the head, the lawsuit states.
Washington, of Covington, and Trenton Cyprian, of Abita Springs, parents of Kaci Cyprian, filed a lawsuit Aug. 1 in 15th Judicial District Court in Lafayette on behalf of the deceased child and her brother, who survived.
The couple is suing the Lafayette Police Department, city of Lafayette and police officers Hali Bradford, Raynard Ford and Alan Cortez, alleging at no time did the officers attempt to deescalate the situation.
The family has been unable to obtain police body camera footage of the incident to find out who shot the child, nor the autopsy, the lawsuit alleges, because of the pending criminal case against Nicholas.
The lawsuit seeking a jury trial alleges the police officers used excessive force and the department failed to properly train and supervise the officers.
Nicholas, 31, of Lafayette, was indicted by a grand jury on one count of second-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, domestic abuse battery/child endangerment, battery of a dating partner with a child present and false imprisonment with a dangerous weapon.
A trial date is set for Dec. 2.
Nicholas, who pleaded not guilty, also faces charges related to an April 2023 incident, including resisting an officer with force or violence (a felony), misdemeanor simple assault on Lee, public intimidation and retaliation (a felony) and self mutilation by a prisoner (a felony).
Nicholas is being held in the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center on $2.55 million in bonds.