- Joined
- Feb 16, 2006
- Messages
- 2,875
- Reaction score
- 10,473
FLINT TOWNSHIP, MI -- The family of a man killed by police during a traffic stop has filed a federal lawsuit claiming the officer used excessive force.
The family of Dominique Lewis filed the lawsuit April 20 in Detroit U.S. District Court after Lewis was shot and killed July 16, 2014, during a traffic stop on Flushing Road near Eldorado Street in Flint Township.
The Flint Township Police Department and township police Officer Matthew Needham, who fired the fatal shots, are named as defendants in the case.
[...]
Needham yells, "Stop, police," but the car, which police said was driven by Lewis at that point, can be seen in the video beginning to move forward toward Needham. Needham sidesteps the car and fires two shots into the vehicle.
[...]
Leyton said the officer fired the shots in self defense and in an attempt to prevent Lewis from escaping the scene.
Police discovered a loaded, stolen pistol in Lewis' possession after the incident, according to Leyton.
[...]
Lewis was sentenced to prison in 2008 for assault with intent to do great bodily harm after he shot a man on the city's north side. He was on parole at the time of his death.
The family of Dominique Lewis filed the lawsuit April 20 in Detroit U.S. District Court after Lewis was shot and killed July 16, 2014, during a traffic stop on Flushing Road near Eldorado Street in Flint Township.
The Flint Township Police Department and township police Officer Matthew Needham, who fired the fatal shots, are named as defendants in the case.
[...]
Needham yells, "Stop, police," but the car, which police said was driven by Lewis at that point, can be seen in the video beginning to move forward toward Needham. Needham sidesteps the car and fires two shots into the vehicle.
[...]
Leyton said the officer fired the shots in self defense and in an attempt to prevent Lewis from escaping the scene.
Police discovered a loaded, stolen pistol in Lewis' possession after the incident, according to Leyton.
[...]
Lewis was sentenced to prison in 2008 for assault with intent to do great bodily harm after he shot a man on the city's north side. He was on parole at the time of his death.
Michigan Live
Comment: From my read, this appears to be a justified shooting. I think we'll see more of these type of lawsuits.
