SANTA ANA – The mother of a man shot and killed by police in front of a crowd at the Huntington Beach Sports Complex this year has filed a $20 million civil rights lawsuit alleging officers used excessive force.

Steven Schiltz, 29, was shot by Huntington Beach police during a busy night at the park on Goldenwest Street on March 9.

Related Articles March 13, 2017 Mother of man killed by Huntington Beach police says officers used excessive force

March 10, 2017 Police shoot, kill man at Huntington Beach sports park filled with children and parents Police were responding to reports of a man running through the park and chasing children on the various sports fields, authorities said.

Schiltz was hitting trees with a bat-like object and chasing children with a broken bottle, police said witnesses told them. Two officers intercepted him near bleachers filled with people watching a soccer practice and opened fire as Schiltz was approaching a large group of people, police said.

In her federal lawsuit filed Friday against the city of Huntington Beach, Schiltz’s mother, Angela Hernandez, said her son, who has a history of mental illness, was there that night to play in his adult softball league. The suit says Schiltz was walking to find his team when one or more people attacked him and stabbed him with a knife.

Schiltz, who was bloody and may have become disoriented, was running from his assailants when officers shot him, the suit says, adding that he was “unarmed and did not pose an immediate threat of death or serious bodily injury” to the officers.

Attorney Dale Galipo, who is representing Hernandez, said he is looking for more witnesses.

“I believe that when all the evidence comes forth, it will be clear that the shooting and killing of Steven Schiltz was unnecessary, excessive, and unreasonable,” he said in a statement.

Julie Toledo, a Huntington Beach spokeswoman, said it is the city’s policy to not comment on pending litigation.