Parents sue City of Austin after teen commits suicide in back of APD patrol car

AUSTIN, Texas (FOX 7 Austin) - The parents of a teenager who committed suicide in the back of an Austin Police Department patrol car are also suing the Austin Police Department.

In January of 2017, police arrested 19-year-old Zachary Anam for shoplifting at Barton Creek Mall.

While in the back of the patrol car Anam was able to pull a gun from his waistband and shoot himself in the head, while handcuffed. The lawsuit alleges the officer transporting Anam didn't do a thorough job searching the teen.

And, that car audio recorded the teen telling the officer he had a gun and was feeling suicidal.

The lawsuit claims instead of helping the teen the officer pulled his car over and got out leaving Anam alone in the car for several minutes, before he fired the gun.

Anam later died in a hospital.

The family is seeking funeral expenses - and, damages: for pain and suffering.