Saturday, 17 May 2025
America Age
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Font ResizerAa
America AgeAmerica Age
Search
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
America Age > Blog > World > Lawyer: Ohio man’s police shooting death reckless, senseless
World

Lawyer: Ohio man’s police shooting death reckless, senseless

Enspirers | Editorial Board
Share
Lawyer: Ohio man’s police shooting death reckless, senseless
SHARE

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Columbus police came under criticism Thursday for the killing of a man who was lying on his bed when an officer attempting to serve warrants fatally shot him, as a lawyer representing the slain man’s family demanded immediate changes to policing in the city and promised a lawsuit.

Not enough has happened in Ohio’s capital city to alter policing practices despite several instances of white officers in the city shooting Black people, added attorney Rex Elliott, representing the family of Donovan Lewis, the Black man killed Tuesday.

“How many more lives are going to be lost to this type of reckless activity? How many more young Black lives will be lost?” Elliott said at a press event attended by multiple members of Lewis’ family.

“How many more families like Donovan’s will need to appear at news conferences like this one before our leaders do enough to put a stop to these barbaric killings?” Elliott said.

The U.S. Justice Department agreed in 2021 to review Columbus police department practices after a series of fatal police shootings of Black people — including the April 2021 killing of 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant — and the city’s response to 2020 racial injustice protests.

In addition, a three-year police contract approved last year provided $200,000 buyouts for up to 100 officers with at least 25 years of experience, with a goal of clearing the decks of employees who might not be on board with the department’s new direction.

“If you’re going to police in the city of Columbus, you have to buy into the vision and leadership of Chief Bryant around change and reform,” Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said at the time.

The city also approved a first-ever civilian review board. Elliott acknowledged these actions, but said it’s not enough.

“Whatever they’re doing, it’s not working,” Elliott said.

Elliott questioned on Thursday the speed of the shooting, which appears in bodycam footage to happen within a second or less of Officer Ricky Anderson opening the door to a bedroom where Lewis slept. Elliott made the point in criticizing suggestions by the police chief that Lewis had something in his hand when he was shot. No weapon was found.

“There is absolutely no way in the timeframe between when the door was opened and the gun was fired that Officer Anderson perceived a potential gun in his hand, got through to his brain, and then reacted by shooting his weapon,” Elliott said.

Lewis, 20, died at a hospital following the shooting early Tuesday morning. Columbus police say officers had gone to the apartment around 2 a.m. to arrest Lewis on multiple warrants including domestic violence, assault and felony improper handling of a firearm. Lewis was Black and the officers were white.

Police took two other men in the apartment into custody without incident. A police dog was unleashed in the apartment during the search.

Police bodycam footage shows Anderson opening a bedroom door in an apartment and in a second or less shooting Lewis, who was in bed. Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant has said Lewis appeared to be holding a vape pen before he was shot, a notion disputed by Elliott.

Bryant has not addressed whether police believed the device was a weapon, a determination that will come during the probe by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Anderson has been placed on leave under city procedure.

In the bodycam footage, Anderson is seen after the shooting raising a hand in demonstration to another officer and saying Lewis lifted his hand “like this.”

Elliott disputed this version of events, saying it’s unclear from the bodycam footage if Lewis was holding anything. He said Anderson shot well before he could have perceived a threat.

The investigation must look at “the totality of the circumstances,” Mark Collins, an attorney representing Anderson, said Thursday.

In such cases, “we are expressly forbidden from using 20/20 hindsight, because unlike all of us, officers are not afforded the luxury of armchair reflection when they are faced with rapidly evolving, volatile encounters in dangerous situations,” Collins said.

In his remarks, Elliott also questioned the need for an early-morning operation. “The reality is that felony warrants are executed every day in daylight hours,” he said.

Bryant has said the city is committed to holding officers responsible if there was any wrongdoing but the state investigation needs to play out.

Ginther, who hired Bryant last year, has said that “regardless of the circumstances, a mother has lost her son in the city of Columbus.”

Elliott said he plans a civil lawsuit in the future against Anderson and the city.

In May 2021, Columbus reached a $10 million settlement with the family of Andre Hill, shot and killed in December 2020 as he emerged from a garage holding his cellphone. Officer Adam Coy has pleaded not guilty to murder charges and is set for trial in November.

In December, the city agreed to pay $5.75 million to people injured during the 2020 racial injustice and police brutality protests.

___

This story has been corrected to fix the spelling of Ma’Khia Bryant’s first name.

Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article FBI, NYPD search alleged properties of Russian oligarch in New York and Florida FBI, NYPD search alleged properties of Russian oligarch in New York and Florida
Next Article Brendan Gleeson Joins Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga in ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ Brendan Gleeson Joins Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga in ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’

Your Trusted Source for Accurate and Timely Updates!

Our commitment to accuracy, impartiality, and delivering breaking news as it happens has earned us the trust of a vast audience. Stay ahead with real-time updates on the latest events, trends.
FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
LinkedInFollow
MediumFollow
QuoraFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad image

Popular Posts

After 3 months of war, life in Russia has profoundly changed

When Vladimir Putin announced the invasion of Ukraine, war seemed far away from Russian territory.…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Nottingham fire death family were planning new life in USA

Aboubacarr Drammeh and Fatoumatta Hydara, originally from Gambia, married in 2014A husband whose wife and…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Angel Reese Golf equipment Caitlin Clark within the Head, Charged with Flagrant Foul

The Angel Reese/Caitlin Clark rivalry's alive and effectively ... 'trigger Angel simply dedicated a tough…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Sri Lanka Inflation Jumps Close to 40% as Shortages Persist

(Bloomberg) -- Sri Lanka’s headline inflation quickened more than expected in May amid continuing food…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

You Might Also Like

Israel’s escalating assaults in Gaza ‘tantamount to ethnic cleansing’, UN human rights chief says – Center East disaster reside
World

Israel’s escalating assaults in Gaza ‘tantamount to ethnic cleansing’, UN human rights chief says – Center East disaster reside

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Not lovin’ it: Australians enticed by premium rivals as McDonald’s data uncommon fall in gross sales
World

Not lovin’ it: Australians enticed by premium rivals as McDonald’s data uncommon fall in gross sales

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Israel launches main offensive in Gaza after airstrikes that killed greater than 100
World

Israel launches main offensive in Gaza after airstrikes that killed greater than 100

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Esther Rantzen urges MPs to again ‘strong, safe’ assisted dying invoice in vote
World

Esther Rantzen urges MPs to again ‘strong, safe’ assisted dying invoice in vote

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
America Age
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


America Age: Your instant connection to breaking stories and live updates. Stay informed with our real-time coverage across politics, tech, entertainment, and more. Your reliable source for 24/7 news.

Company
  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement
Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability
Terms of Use
  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?