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| Family of black man fatally shot by police in Ohio Walmart files lawsuit | |
| (4 months later) | |
| The family of a young black man fatally shot by police as he held an unloaded air rifle inside an Ohio Walmart has filed a federal lawsuit against the officers involved in his death and the retail store, calling it a “first step” toward justice for their son. | The family of a young black man fatally shot by police as he held an unloaded air rifle inside an Ohio Walmart has filed a federal lawsuit against the officers involved in his death and the retail store, calling it a “first step” toward justice for their son. |
| The team of attorneys for the family of John Crawford III filed a civil lawsuit on Tuesday against Beavercreek police officer Sean Williams, who fatally shot Crawford; his partner, officer David Darkow; police chief Dennis Evers; the city of Beavercreek; the police department, and Walmart. They are asking for $75,000, the minimum set standard for filing a federal civil lawsuit. | The team of attorneys for the family of John Crawford III filed a civil lawsuit on Tuesday against Beavercreek police officer Sean Williams, who fatally shot Crawford; his partner, officer David Darkow; police chief Dennis Evers; the city of Beavercreek; the police department, and Walmart. They are asking for $75,000, the minimum set standard for filing a federal civil lawsuit. |
| “There was no indictment. There was no bill. The US Department of Justice has not taken this case at this point,” Michael Wright, a family attorney said during a press conference on Tuesday. “This is the only recourse the Crawford family has.” | “There was no indictment. There was no bill. The US Department of Justice has not taken this case at this point,” Michael Wright, a family attorney said during a press conference on Tuesday. “This is the only recourse the Crawford family has.” |
| Police shot Crawford, 22, at the Beavercreek Walmart on 5 August after a 911 caller told dispatchers that he was waving what appeared to be a rifle at fellow shoppers. | Police shot Crawford, 22, at the Beavercreek Walmart on 5 August after a 911 caller told dispatchers that he was waving what appeared to be a rifle at fellow shoppers. |
| Police say the officer fired at Crawford only after he refused to drop the rifle. The attorneys say the officer shot him before he had a chance to respond. Amid the chaos and gunfire, customer Angela Williams, who had a heart condition, went into cardiac arrest and later died. | Police say the officer fired at Crawford only after he refused to drop the rifle. The attorneys say the officer shot him before he had a chance to respond. Amid the chaos and gunfire, customer Angela Williams, who had a heart condition, went into cardiac arrest and later died. |
| In September, a grand jury in Greene County declined to indict Sean Williams, the police officer who shot Crawford, on charges of murder, reckless homicide or negligent homicide. | In September, a grand jury in Greene County declined to indict Sean Williams, the police officer who shot Crawford, on charges of murder, reckless homicide or negligent homicide. |
| Wright said the family’s hope is that the lawsuit will help reform police’s use of deadly force protocol, as well as tighten corporate practices for packaging and selling weapons. | Wright said the family’s hope is that the lawsuit will help reform police’s use of deadly force protocol, as well as tighten corporate practices for packaging and selling weapons. |
| The BB rifle gun that Crawford picked up off the shelf had been left there, unpackaged, for more than two days, which the lawyers say shouldn’t have happened. | The BB rifle gun that Crawford picked up off the shelf had been left there, unpackaged, for more than two days, which the lawyers say shouldn’t have happened. |
| “By filing this civil lawsuit we want to bring change to the policies of the Beavercreek police department and the merchandising practices of the Walmart Corporation,” Wright said. “We want to make sure that this tragedy do not happen to any other family.” | “By filing this civil lawsuit we want to bring change to the policies of the Beavercreek police department and the merchandising practices of the Walmart Corporation,” Wright said. “We want to make sure that this tragedy do not happen to any other family.” |
| Wright’s partner, Richard Shulte, added: “One thing that’s going to happen in this case is complete transparency. We haven’t had complete transparency from the police department or Walmart. And we’re going to expose what they’ve done and share that information with the world.” | Wright’s partner, Richard Shulte, added: “One thing that’s going to happen in this case is complete transparency. We haven’t had complete transparency from the police department or Walmart. And we’re going to expose what they’ve done and share that information with the world.” |
| Shean Williams (no relation), another lawyer hired by the family, said based on his understanding of the incident, Walmart staff and personnel were aware that Crawford was carrying an unpackaged BB gun and that police were on their way to the store. | Shean Williams (no relation), another lawyer hired by the family, said based on his understanding of the incident, Walmart staff and personnel were aware that Crawford was carrying an unpackaged BB gun and that police were on their way to the store. |
| Walmart “had a duty and an opportunity to make sure that not only Mr Crawford was safe, but that the other customers were safe”, Williams said. “That did not happen and as a result, they are just as culpable in our view and under the law as the Beavercreek officers and the Beavercreek police department.” | Walmart “had a duty and an opportunity to make sure that not only Mr Crawford was safe, but that the other customers were safe”, Williams said. “That did not happen and as a result, they are just as culpable in our view and under the law as the Beavercreek officers and the Beavercreek police department.” |
| He said Walmart has not reached out to the family beyond making a formal statement. | He said Walmart has not reached out to the family beyond making a formal statement. |
| “Obviously there’s not enough in this world … that will substitute the life of their son,” Williams said. “This case is more than about a monetary recovery. This case is about … effectual change not only in this city, in Beavercreek, in this county, and in this state, but in this nation.” | “Obviously there’s not enough in this world … that will substitute the life of their son,” Williams said. “This case is more than about a monetary recovery. This case is about … effectual change not only in this city, in Beavercreek, in this county, and in this state, but in this nation.” |
| John Crawford Jr said this lawsuit is not the end but just the beginning in their fight for justice – and not just for their son, but for the many young black men who have died at the hands of police in recent years. | John Crawford Jr said this lawsuit is not the end but just the beginning in their fight for justice – and not just for their son, but for the many young black men who have died at the hands of police in recent years. |
| “From a personal standpoint, I’m still pursuing justice because to me that is justice,” Crawford said at the press conference. “You have to be held accountable; you don’t get a pass because you have a sidearm and a shield. In fact, you set a higher standard”. | “From a personal standpoint, I’m still pursuing justice because to me that is justice,” Crawford said at the press conference. “You have to be held accountable; you don’t get a pass because you have a sidearm and a shield. In fact, you set a higher standard”. |
| Last weekend, Crawford, accompanied by his son’s mother, Tressa Sherrod, traveled to Washington DC to participate in the thousands-strong Justice For All march, organized by a coalition of civil rights organizations and led by the families of black men who have died at the hands of police. | Last weekend, Crawford, accompanied by his son’s mother, Tressa Sherrod, traveled to Washington DC to participate in the thousands-strong Justice For All march, organized by a coalition of civil rights organizations and led by the families of black men who have died at the hands of police. |
| There was no immediate reaction to the lawsuit from Beavercreek or its police department. | There was no immediate reaction to the lawsuit from Beavercreek or its police department. |
| A spokesman for Walmart said the retailer’s employees “acted properly”. “Our condolences go out to the families who lost loved ones. Out of respect for everyone involved, we believe it’s not appropriate to discuss the specifics of this matter,” he said. | A spokesman for Walmart said the retailer’s employees “acted properly”. “Our condolences go out to the families who lost loved ones. Out of respect for everyone involved, we believe it’s not appropriate to discuss the specifics of this matter,” he said. |