Civil rights attorneys representing the family of Brandon Durham announced the filing of a federal civil lawsuit, citing egregious violations of Durham’s constitutional rights under Section 1983. The legal team, led by attorney Lee Merritt, stood outside the courthouse alongside local counsel Travis Buchanan and Lambert Cannon to share the family’s pursuit of justice in the face of Brandon Durham’s tragic and controversial death at the hands of law enforcement.

“This lawsuit is about accountability at every level,” said Merritt. “We are pursuing civil action not only against Officer Alexander Bookman for his role in Brandon’s death but also against the City of Las Vegas for institutional failures that allowed this tragedy to happen. We are here on federal ground because this is about more than one incident—this is about systemic misconduct and the failure to act on it.”

The complaint alleges that Durham’s death was the result of both individual misconduct and deeply flawed policing policies. The attorneys emphasized that while criminal proceedings may move forward under the direction of the Clark County District Attorney, this civil case is essential to hold the city responsible for its role in training failures and repeated patterns of police abuse.

The lawsuit seeks monetary damages “in excess of the jurisdictional limit,” but Merritt noted that “no amount of money can make this family whole.” Instead, the case aims to inspire systemic reform—particularly around police accountability, de-escalation practices, and removing repeat offenders from the force. “If the right policies and people were in place, Brandon would be with his family today,” said Cannon.

During the press conference, the attorneys also addressed concerns around transparency in the criminal process. Though grand jury proceedings remain confidential, Merritt expressed confidence in the DA’s decision to pursue charges. He cited an internal legal review involving multiple attorneys and confirmed that “the evidence made it clear” a crime had occurred, leading the DA to reverse an earlier decision not to present the case to a grand jury.

When asked about the likelihood of grand jury indictment, Merritt admitted skepticism about the American grand jury system but reaffirmed belief in the facts and the strength of the case. “Even a reluctant prosecutor had to admit this was wrong,” he said, noting discrepancies between the police report and the family’s own findings—particularly regarding the number of times Brandon was shot.

At the close of the event, Brandon’s daughter Isabella Durham spoke briefly through emotion, remembering her father as someone who cherished her deeply. “I was his baby girl from the moment I came out,” she said. Her voice, heavy with grief, reminded the crowd that this case is not only about law and policy, but about human lives left shattered in the wake of violence.

The legal team hopes this lawsuit will bring about real change and prevent other families from enduring similar heartbreak—not just in Nevada, but across the country. As Merritt concluded, “Justice doesn’t stop at the courthouse steps. It lives in the policies we reform, the people we protect, and the voices we refuse to silence.