Personal Injury Law

Family Files Suit in Police Shootout, IL

By Oguz Ozdemir

A teenager’s family is filing a wrongful death suit against the city of Greenwood, the Police Department of Greenwood, officers Eric McElhaney and Jay Arnold, as well as the Greenwood police chief and mayor. The plaintiff’s are filing an excessive force claim as well as illegally pursuing and stopping the vehicle in which Kyle Collins was in the passenger seat. "In attempting to apprehend Collins, Officers Arnold and McElhaney utilized excessive force in that they battered and beat Collins and shot him at least 15 times to the back of the head, buttocks, arms, face and other parts of his body directly causing his death," the suit alleges. However, the Johnson County prosecutor deemed the police officers actions permissible. There was much of a struggle as McElhaney and Arnold pulled over the vehicle for speeding. When the police officers approached the vehicle they found brass knuckles in the car and attempted to detain Collins. That is when the struggle occurred and the shots started. Collins fired about seven shots; McElhaney fired 10, and Arnold 12. All parties were hit and including both officers. If you or a loved one has been victimized by an act of wrongdoing leading to a wrongful death, contact super lawyers at Napoli Bern Ripka LLP. They will be able to assess your case and determine the proper steps needed to formulate and implement in order to get the settlement that you deserve, not what is offered.

Full post as published by New York City Personal Injury Lawyer on February 26, 2009 (boomark / email).