OCEANSIDE — The widow of a man gunned down by three Oceanside police officers in December filed a multimillion dollar wrongful death claim against the city June 16.

The shooting of Siaki Ramon Del Rio, 29, was illegal and unauthorized, Deana Del Rio states in the claim. In addition to her claim, the widow has also filed a claim on behalf of the couple’s 6- and 7-year-old children. She’s seeking a total of $60 million from the city.

Filing a claim is the first step in bringing a lawsuit against the city.

Siaki Ramon Del Rio, who was wanted for a felony parole violation, was fatally shot in the 200 block of North El Camino Real after a brief chase and struggle with officers on the evening of Dec. 22, 2007, police said. Three officers — Jon Seabron, Ryan Erwin and Erik Ellgard — discharged their weapons after Siaki Ramon Del Rio told them he had a gun and threatened the officers with it, according to reports.

A loaded handgun was found in Siaki Ramon Del Rio’s clothing, police said.

In Deana Del Rio’s claim, she disputes the aforementioned reports by the Oceanside Police Department saying they were an attempt to cover up the “gross misconduct” of the officers who shot her husband. Further, she states the department “failed to disclose” to the media the use of a canine, which inflicted serious bodily injury to Siaki Ramon Del Rio prior to the shooting.

Oceanside city attorney John Mullen said Deana Del Rio’s claims are frivolous because she has “failed to cite or provide any evidence whatsoever to support the allegations contained in the tort claim.”

“We intend to present a vigorous defense to these claims should the case proceed to court,” Mullen said.

The Oceanside Police Department said it couldn’t comment on the claim because the investigation into the shooting is ongoing.