Family of man shot, killed by Stafford deputy files lawsuit

STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A Richmond-based law firm has filed a lawsuit on behalf of the family of a man who was shot and killed by a Stafford County Sheriff’s deputy in 2023.

At a press conference on Monday, Sept. 16, attorney Mark Krudys announced the $77 million suit on behalf of the family of 71-year-old Michael Shamrock Robertson Sr., who was shot and killed by a Stafford County Sheriff’s Deputy during a welfare check on Dec. 16, 2023.

“My dad was a retired Navy Corpsman, he was a disability retired sheriff’s deputy,” said Robertson’s daughter, Kelly Robertson, at the press conference. “All he did was serve and protect people, so for this to happen to him on a welfare check is just, there are no words for it.”

According to Krudys, Robertson had been drinking and took an Uber back to his home that night and the driver called 911 after dropping him off because he was concerned about his well being.

According to Krudys, one of the first deputies on scene was Shabbir Waheed. Body worn camera footage shows Waheed knocking on the Robertsons’ front door and immediately announcing there was a gun three times before retreating.

“In the confusion, though, Mr. Robertson said, ‘Everything, all is good,’ [was] his specific language. Nonetheless, Deputy Waheed fired three shots at him with his firearm. All of those shots missed him and went to the side of him,” Krudys said.

Krudys said that, after this, someone else at the scene announced that Robertson had a gun pointed towards another deputy. In response, deputy Dominic Ferrell fired the shot that killed Robertson.

Krudys said Robertson often kept a rifle by his front door but argued that, at no point in any of the body camera footage, can be be seen holding it or any other gun. Krudys also said that the autopsy report showed that the bullet entered Robertson’s back and the deputies were shielded behind objects in the yard at the time the shooting occurred.

“Mr. Robertson never made a threatening statement, he never took a shooter stance, he never exited his home,” Krudys said.

Krudys said that, since the Spotsylvania County Commonwealth’s Attorney made the decision not to indict the officers involved after reviewing the evidence, this lawsuit is the family’s chance to get justice and answers for what happened.

“The hope is that we may foster healing within our family, the Stafford community and across our nation, doing so we can ensure that no one else has to experience this unimaginable loss,” said Kristen Robertson, Robertson’s other daughter.

The lawsuit names the two deputies involved and Stafford County Sheriff David Decatur. At the time of the initial investigation, the officers involved were placed on routine administrative leave.

8News reached out to the Stafford County Sheriff’s office for comment on the lawsuit and the status the two deputies’ employment and has not heard back.

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