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, the African-American man who was fatally shot by Minneapolis police during a confrontation in 2015, is suing the two officers involved in his death, alleging they violated his civil rights. 

The civil complaint was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis.

Clark, 24, was shot while he was on the ground, struggling with police in north Minneapolis on Nov. 15, 2015. Responding officers Dustin Schwarze and Mark Ringgenberg had been told he was interfering with a paramedic crew treating his girlfriend outside a late-night birthday party.

Schwarze said he fired because his partner yelled that Clark was holding Ringgenberg's gun. He said he feared for Ringgenberg's life. 

The suit claims the officers' "unreasonable use of excessive force" led to the fatal shooting. 

The Clark family is seeking punitive and compensatory damages.

Minneapolis City Attorney Susan Segal said she could not comment on the suit because it's a pending legal action.

 the two officers in the shooting death of Clark, saying the use of force in the situation was justified.

That decision was followed by a U.S. Department of Justice investigation, which concluded there was 

 to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the officers willfully violated Clark's civil rights.

Brandt Williams contributed to this report.

Crime, Law and Justice

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Jamar Clark police shooting

Peter Cox

Author

The 24-year-old was shot while he was on the ground, struggling with police in north Minneapolis on Nov. 15, 2015. Both county and federal officials determined the officers did not act unlawfully or unreasonably

Jamar Clark's family sues Minneapolis officers in his fatal shooting

Javille Burns via AP

Officers Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze

Jamar Clark's family sues Minneapolis officers in his fatal shooting

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