Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed against Chicago Police by Family of Woman Who was Fatally Shot

The Chicago Police department is facing a wrongful death lawsuit from the family of a woman who was “accidentally” killed during a shooting involving the police.
 
Bettie Jones, a 55 year old grandmother, was fatally shot on December 26, by a police officer who was responding to a domestic disturbance call in Chicago’s West Garfield Park neighborhood.  Power Rogers and Smith, P.C. stated in a release that the officer who fired his weapon, “knew or should have known that one or more innocent persons were inside the property.”

The release also noted that Ms. Jones did not pose a danger and was not a threat to causing the police or anyone else any harm.  She was not in possession of a firearm and there was no probable cause or legal justification to have fired a gun at her.
 
The police were responding to a domestic disturbance call since QuintonioLeGrier had allegedly threatened his father with a metal baseball bat.  The police have stated that they were opening fire on QuintonioLeGrier, 19, at the same time that Ms. Jones opened the front door of her building.  It is alleged that LeGrier was running towards the door when he was shot and killed.  LeGrier’s father has also filed a lawsuit against the city.
 
The lawsuit filed by Ms. Jones’ family alleges that one of Ms. Jones’ children asked a police officer for help since her mother had been killed and was told by the officer that she needed to “get over it.”  The lawsuit contains a claim for unintentional emotional distress for her daughter.

The Chicago police department has admitted that it was an accident that Ms. Jones was shot and stated that it is very tragic that she was killed during the response to a domestic disturbance call.
 
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez has asked the FBI to assist with an investigation into the shooting of Ms. Jones.

In a statement, Ms. Alvarez said, "This is a deeply disturbing incident that demands a very deliberate and meticulous independent investigation.At this stage, the investigation is being conducted by IPRA, but my office has also contacted the FBI to request their involvement as well."

The mayor did meet with Jones’ family in person last week to express his condolences for their loss.  He also announced that there will be a major overhaul to how Chicago police officers are trained, which will include a new requirement that every police officer who responds to a call must have a Taser with them.

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