KENNEWICK — An attorney representing the children of a Richland man who was shot and killed by a Kennewick police officer in September filed a $10 million claim against the city late Tuesday afternoon.

"The city has 60 days to respond if they want to accept the claim," said Norma Rodriguez, who's representing the family of Christopher Villarreal.

If the city does not respond or rejects the claim, Rodriguez said a lawsuit could be filed against Kennewick and likely would end up in federal court.

Villarreal's younger brother, Victor Villarreal of Puyallup, said his parents, Simon and Rosa Villarreal of Kennewick, and family hope the lawsuit will help to answer questions about what happened that day.

He also said he wants to make clear that his family has "the utmost respect for law enforcement officials."

"We have lost Christopher in a very disturbing way," Victor Villarreal said in a statement provided to the Herald. "We are hoping that these proceedings will answer some of those questions. There is not a monetary amount that would ever bring him back nor is there reason to accept his passing without understanding why. His children most of all have lost a loving father. My parents have lost a son, and I have lost a brother."

The claim filed Tuesday lists negligent supervision, wrongful death, gross negligence, a civil rights violation, excessive use of force and the loss of a family member as potential causes of action that could be included in a lawsuit against the city.

Under state law, a claim must be filed against a city before a lawsuit can be filed.

Kennewick City Manager Bob Hammond said Tuesday evening that he was unaware of the claim being filed with the city.

"I wouldn't have any comment," he said.

Christopher Villarreal, 39, was shot and killed Sept. 14 by Kennewick Officer Lee Cooper.

Cooper fired several shots into Christopher Villarreal's car after he allegedly tried to ram Cooper's motorcycle with his car.

Christopher Villarreal earlier was reported to be driving erratically on Highway 240 and Kennewick Avenue and had hit another vehicle before officers caught up with him at Kennewick Avenue and Washington Street.

After Christopher Villarreal pulled into a parking lot, Cooper pulled up behind him.

The officer, who reportedly received a minor leg injury when Christopher Villarreal's car hit his motorcycle, fired multiple shots at Christopher Villarreal.

Another officer at the scene had drawn his pistol but did not fire.

Some witnesses, however, said Christopher Villarreal's car slowly rolled backward toward the police motorcycle.

The case initially was being investigated by the Benton County Sheriff's Office but was taken over by the U.S. Department of Justice and is being handled by the FBI.

While federal officials wouldn't discuss specifics of the case, they have said civil rights issues can be raised in an officer-involved shooting where there are claims of excessive use of force.

Officer Cooper, a seven-year veteran of the department, was initially placed on administrative leave with pay as standard procedure during a shooting investigation but has since returned to desk duty under special assignment.

Just before the shooting, Christopher Villarreal — who has two sons, ages 2 and 13, and a daughter, 11, all of Kennewick — apparently was on his way to Kennewick General Hospital, where his fiancee was scheduled to have surgery, and then to visit his father who was celebrating his 71st birthday that day.

Family members have said Christopher Villarreal was not a violent person, but that he did have a severe medical condition and was being treated for it. However, the medicine caused side effects, like mood swings, said Victor Villarreal.

Victor Villarreal said his family is seeking closure along with answers.

"We fully support the legal actions taken by the representation of his children. In the same respect our thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Lee Cooper for what he has to live with. We are looking for peace in his death and hope that the memory of Christopher will be in the life that he lived and not in the death that he suffered," he said.