Victoria Lee police shooting lawsuit has been filed nearly two years after the 25-year-old Korean American woman was fatally shot by police during a mental health crisis in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court by Lee’s estate and surviving family members, accuses the Fort Lee Police Department and the Borough of Fort Lee of wrongful death, excessive force, and discrimination based on her mental illness.
The case drew national attention because of its similarities to the fatal shooting of Yang Yong in Los Angeles, where family members also called authorities seeking help during a mental health emergency, only for the encounter to end in deadly police gunfire.
Family Says Police Used Excessive Force
According to the complaint, Lee was holding only a plastic water bottle when officers forced open the apartment door.
The lawsuit alleges police fired their weapons just three seconds after entering the residence.
Attorneys for the family argue officers failed to make even minimal efforts to de-escalate the situation or treat the incident as a behavioral health emergency.
Instead of helping transport Lee to a hospital, as her family had requested, officers fatally shot her, the lawsuit states.
The Victoria Lee police shooting lawsuit also claims Lee, who had bipolar disorder, was subjected to discriminatory treatment because of her mental health condition.
Civil Lawsuit Follows Decision Not to Indict
The lawsuit comes after a New Jersey grand jury declined in July 2025 to criminally indict the officer who fired the fatal shots.
With no criminal charges filed, Lee’s family has turned to civil court in hopes of holding the municipality and police department accountable.
The case is expected to renew debate over how law enforcement agencies respond to people experiencing psychiatric emergencies and whether officers receive adequate crisis intervention training.
As the Victoria Lee police shooting lawsuit moves forward, the family says they are seeking accountability not only for Lee’s death, but also to encourage changes in how police respond to mental health calls in the future.
