ST. PAUL — An attorney for the family of a man fatally shot by St. Paul police said he will ask the U.S. Department of Justice to begin a civil rights investigation into the death. 

J. Ashwin Madia said Marcus Golden’s mother, Ericka Cullars-Golden, believes police have already painted a biased portrait of her son. The 24-year-old man was killed by two officers Jan. 14 after police say he accelerated his SUV and drove toward one of the officers. Police said the officers, “fearing for their lives,” fired several times, striking Golden. He died at the scene. Neither officer was hurt.

The case is being reviewed by the Washington County attorney’s office because of a potential conflict of interest. One of the officers is related to a manager at the Ramsey County attorney’s office.