Krista M Torralva

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

A man acquitted last year of crimes for shooting Corpus Christi police officers who were executing a raid on his house is now suing the officers and city.

Ray Rosas accuses nine police officers of using excessive force when they used a flash bang device to disable people inside the home and as they restrained him and family members. Rosas’ suit also claims the officers are responsible for cruel and unusual punishment because Rosas was jailed for two years on false accusations.

Rosas seeks an unspecified amount of punitive damages and payment for attorney’s fees and medical expenses.

Police surveyed Rosas’ home near Del Mar College two years before executing the raid Feb. 19, 2015. Their target was Rosas’ nephew, who was suspected of dealing drugs and was ultimately placed on probation.

RELATED: Jurors explain why they acquitted man of officer involved shooting

Officers used a flash bang device on Rosas’ bedroom window early in the morning. Rosas, who later said his vision was blurred and heard a ringing in his ears, fired a pistol and shot three officers. He also later said he thought his home was under attack from gang members who had previously retaliated against him because he testified in a 2001 trial.

Rosas said he surrendered when he realized the intruders were police. Officers’ testimonies about his reaction to being arrested differed. Some described him as aggressive and using profanity. Others said he was cooperative and told them he didn’t know they were police.

Rosas’ lawsuit also accuses the officers of being excessively rough with Rosas’ 82-year-old mother, mentally disabled brother and two sisters. One of the women was strip searched without probable cause, according to the lawsuit.

The officers’ responses claim they acted in good faith and thought their actions were proper.

“(The officers’) actions were based on probable cause and were taken in a good faith belief that they were reasonable and proper and, as such they are entitled to qualified and official immunity from the claims…,” a response states.

Rosas was initially charged with attempted capital murder, which prosecutors dismissed during trial. Prosecutors gave the jury charges of aggravated assault on a public servant. Jurors spoke to lawyers afterward and said they believed Rosas was impaired by the flash bang and did not know he was shooting at police. Jurors also questioned some of the police strategies.

Rosas’ suit also claims the city failed to properly train officers on excessive force, and accuses the police department of having policies that allow for excessive force in routine arrests, among other accusations.

Police use of no-knock raids have recently come under public scrutiny and Rosas’ case has been included in national conversations. The Washington Post and New York Times wrote about Rosas’ case after his acquittal.

Corpus Christi Police Chief Mike Markle previously told the Caller-Times the department was reviewing its policies on no-knock raids. He said the review was called for separate from Rosas’ trial and subsequent lawsuit.

A hearing on the lawsuit is scheduled for May 12 in U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos’ courtroom.

Staff writer Fares Sabawi contributed to this report.