According to family and friends of Myles Gray, he was a "kind, caring, positive young person" before he died in an altercation with Vancouver police last August.

Now, Sechelt residents Mark and Margie Gray have filed a lawsuit against the VPD, the City of Vancouver, and the Vancouver police board in an effort to find answers about the death of their 33-year-old son.

In an interview with CBC News reporter Eric Rankin, Mark Gray alleged that his son was "just hunted down like a dog" while he was delivering products to local florists in Southeast Vancouver on August 13.

After the man died following a call to the 3600 block of Southeast Marine Drive, Vancouver police issued a news release saying six officers were sent to hospital, including two with "significant injuries".

"As the first officer on scene attempted to detain him, he became agitated and additional officers were called to the scene," the VPD stated. "Attempts to subdue the man with chemical agents were unsuccessful."

The altercation occurred in the 8300 block of Joffre Avenue near Marine Drive in Burnaby.

Myles Gray's company, Graystone Enterprises Ltd., is also a plaintiff. The defendants have not yet filed statements of defence.

In an interview published last year in the Coast Reporter, Margie Gray maintained that her son was not violent, had no criminal record, didn't drink alcohol, and wasn't on drugs.

A gofundme page has raised $16,920 to help cover legal costs.