Culture

Unarmed, Black, Gay Man Shot By Police Sues for $26 Million


 

Isiah Brown, a gay Black man who was shot by police eight times while unarmed, filed a $26 million lawsuit Tuesday against the officers responsible.

Brown, 32, survived the April shooting in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, in critical condition. He is now accusing Deputy David Turbyfill and the sheriff overseeing him, Roger Harris, of “gross negligence, battery and using excessive force,” The Roanoke Times reported.

Brown’s complaint details devastating life-altering injuries, asserting that Turbyfill caused him to “suffer extensive, extreme, ongoing physical and mental pain, anguish, suffering, disfigurement, humiliation, and economic losses.” The suit further says that Brown “will never fully recover from the scars and impairment to his body and mind,” The Hill reported.

The day of the shooting, Turbyfill had given Brown a ride home after his car broke down. Brown then later called 911 during an altercation with his brother. In the recording of the 911 call released by police, Brown can be heard threatening to kill his brother, but also telling the dispatcher he does not have a gun or any other weapon.

The 911 dispatcher then sent Turbyfill to the scene, where Brown was pacing on the street outside while still on the phone. The 911 dispatcher told Brown to put his hands up as Turbyfill approached. Turbyfill can be heard repeatedly screaming at Brown to “drop the gun,” having confused the phone in his hand for a weapon. He then fired at Brown 10 times.

Eight bullets were later found in Brown’s body, and no gun was ever discovered at the scene, according to Breaking Daily News.

The shooting took place only a few days after a jury found Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty for the murder of George Floyd, another unarmed Black man whose death sparked a global wave of Black Lives Matter protests and caused a rise in public anger over police violence against the Black community.



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