Powell was black and the officers white, but Wooten noted, “This case is not about race; it’s about how we police in this city. And that must change.”

The document says police were dispatched Aug. 19 to the 8700 block of Riverview to a report of the theft of two soft drinks and a doughnut. The officers, it alleges, pointed their guns and “started yelling forceful commands” at Powell, who by then was “pacing on the sidewalk and posed no threat to anyone.”

The suit says Powell was shot “multiple times” within 23 seconds of the officers’ arrival. They placed handcuffs on him “although he was dead,” the suit added.

Dotson initially told reporters that Powell was holding a knife high and came within two or three feet of the officers, but revised the account when cellphone video showed no knife held up and Powell shot at apparently greater range. Dotson has said he had been trying to relay the best information available early in the investigation. He has said that by policy, police can shoot someone threatening them with a knife at up to 21 feet.

On the video, Powell was seen approaching an officer and shouting, “Shoot me! Kill me now!”