Wrongful death suit filed against officer who killed teen
Eva Arevalo, the mother of Edgar Rodriguez, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Farmers Branch Police Department Officer Ken Johnson and the city of Farmers Branch in Dallas County. According to The Dallas Morning News, the charges come after Johnson shot and critically injured Rodriguez and killed his friend, Jose Cruz, on March 13, 2016.
Arevalo’s lawsuit states that Rodriguez’s civil rights were violated and that he sustained severe wounds, physical impairment, disfigurement, and emotional distress. The lawsuit further claims that under no circumstances was Johnson justified in shooting Rodriguez, since Rodriguez was raising his arms over his head and had no weapon on him when Johnson shot him.
For his part, Johnson said he saw Cruz and Rodriguez breaking into his 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe to steal the car seats, prompting him to shoot at them. The suit further claims that Chief Sid Fuller failed to give proper training to officers on the police department and that he specifically failed to give proper training to Johnson concerning the proper use of deadly force.
At The Benton Law Firm, we see the anguish, lost income, and physical impairment people suffer after wrongful death tragedies. Our thoughts and condolences are with the families of the victims in this shooting.
