Lawsuit against SPD officers who fatally shot Charleena Lyles thrown out
Jan 8, 2019, 12:30 PM | Updated: 4:24 pm
A large crowd marched in support of Charleena Lyles in a 2017 protest. (AP photo)
(AP photo)
A lawsuit filed against the two Seattle Police Department officers who shot Charleena Lyles in 2017 has officially been dismissed.
RELATED: Seattle PD releases detailed report of Charleena Lyles shooting
According to court documents acquired by KIRO 7, the case was thrown out Friday, Jan. 4 by King County Superior Court Judge Julie Spector. This comes after an initial request to dismiss the case was denied in March 2018.
Attorneys for Charleena Lyles’ father — who brought the suit — plan to appeal the decision.
In the suit brought by Lyles’s father, Officers Jason Anderson and Steven McNew faced charges of wrongful death and civil rights violations in Lyles’ death. A separate lawsuit filed against the City of Seattle remains open.
In June 2017, Lyles called police to her apartment, reporting a burglary. Four-months pregnant at the time, she allegedly attempted to stab the two officers on the scene. Officers Anderson and McNew shot her seven times. Family members say Lyles had mental health problems and that the confrontation could have been resolved without her death.
Officers found no evidence of a burglary.
The Seattle Police Department’s Force Review Board ruled unanimously in November that the two officers used proper tactics and decision-making, followed their training, and did not violate deescalation and crisis-intervention policies.
Following Tuesday’s dismissal, attorneys for the two officers released the following statement.
While this case stems from a tragedy, we are pleased that the Court reached the correct conclusion and recognized that our clients’ use of force was reasonable and appropriate under the challenging and rapidly evolving circumstances they faced.
RELATED: SPD releases new video in fatal shooting of Charleena Lyles
