Federal lawsuit filed against Spotsylvania deputy, sheriff for Isiah Brown shooting
By Melissa Alonso, CNN
A $26.35 million federal lawsuit was filed on Monday against a Spotsylvania County, Virginia, deputy and sheriff in connection with the deputy-involved shooting of Isiah Brown in April.
Brown, 32, was shot by Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Deputy David Matthew Turbyfill while Brown was on the phone with 911 dispatch, CNN has reported.
The lawsuit alleges that “prior to using lethal force, Deputy Turbyfill had a reasonable opportunity to warn Mr. Brown that he (Deputy Turbyfill) was about to use lethal force against Mr. Brown.” The department’s sheriff is named in the lawsuit for his direction and supervision of deputies, including Turbyfill.
The lawsuit alleges the deputy and sheriff were responsible for battery, gross negligence and excessive force leading to Brown being shot and injured while unarmed.
On July 15, 2021, a special grand jury sitting in Spotsylvania County indicted Turbyfill for “unlawfully and feloniously” handling a firearm, court documents said.
“Mr. Brown suffered serious injuries. He was hospitalized for a number of weeks, underwent multiple surgeries, suffered great pain, and was required to wear a colostomy bag,” according to the lawsuit filed in US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
CNN has reached out to Turbyfill and his attorney, the Spotsylvania County sheriff and Spotsylvania County for comment but has not heard back.
The-CNN-Wire
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