Jury finds for family of man shot, killed by police

Lamont Johnson was highly intoxicated and had THC in his blood. Police were called when an individual, Johnson’s alleged victim, claimed Johnson tried to stab him, was unsuccessful, then went home and got a handgun and threatened to shoot him, pointing the gun at him and others.

The plaintiff claimed the attempt to stab incident never happened and that Johnson only retrieved a gun when he learned the alleged victim was throwing bricks through Johnson’s disabled brother’s windows.

Police went to arrest Johnson who was walking his bicycle through a dark alley behind the apartment building where the alleged victim lived. The police rounded the corner of the building with flashlights and with their guns drawn, saw Johnson and began yelling for him to show his hands.

The police defendants claimed Johnson reached for his gun which made them fear for their lives and the lives of others. They shot Johnson, who died from his injuries.

The plaintiff claimed the officers shot Johnson only 2.5 to 3 seconds after rounding the corner and shouting commands and this was not enough time for Johnson to have perceived what was happening and react by showing his hands or going for a gun. Further, his intoxication would have lengthened his perception and reaction time over that of a sober individual. The plaintiff claimed the officer’s actions were not reasonable by not reasonably assessing whether Johnson actually was reaching for a gun.

Plaintiff’s counsel, Mark E. Boegehold, provided case information.

Type of action: Police excessive force

Injuries alleged: Death

Name of case: Estate of Lamont Johnson v. City of Detroit

Court/Case no./Date: U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division; 20-12791; 03/12/2024

Tried before: Jury

Name of judge: Hon. Shalina D. Kumar

Demand: $500,000

Highest offer: $300,000

Verdict amount: $1,511,267.34

Special damages: Funeral and burial expenses, $4,819; medical expenses, $86,448.34; and lost wages, $420,000

Most helpful experts: David King, police procedures; C. Dennis Simpson, neuropsychopharmacology, Barry Grant economic damages, Bob Malek shooting reconstruction.

Attorney for plaintiff: Mark E. Boegehold, Southfield

 

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