The father of the 15-year-old boy who was shot and killed by Pennsylvania State Police in Bradford County last May has filed a lawsuit against three state troopers, according to WETM-TV.
State troopers say that on May 4, 2023, the teen pointed a gun at them when they tried to make contact and failed to obey their commands to drop the weapon. Troopers shot the 15-year-old three times and he was later pronounced dead at Robert Packer Hospital.
The confrontation started when troopers were dispatched to investigate a threat of violence made on an online message board. The threats were determined to be made by the 15-year-old.
Troopers were notified that the juvenile had left his home with a firearm. Police then started a search for the teen.
Once they located the juvenile, he ran from troopers despite their commands to stop. Troopers say they observed the teen brandishing a handgun. They offered him a surrender plan and ordered him to drop the gun.
Police say he pointed the gun at one of the troopers. Fearing for his safety, the trooper fired three shots, striking the juvenile.
Troopers immediately called for emergency medical services. The juvenile was transported by helicopter to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The Bradford County District Attorney’s Office later said the troopers were justified in their use of deadly force.
In the father’s lawsuit, he claims his son was pointing his gun at the ground and not at police when they fired at him. He says his son did not pose a credible threat of causing serious injury to state police or anyone else.
The lawsuit claims the troopers failed in their duty to use a reasonable amount of force. It also claims troopers violated the Fourth Amendment by failing to intervene when a fellow officer uses excessive force.
