Federal Lawsuit Dismissed In Officer-Involved Shooting Of Javario Eagle

  • Thursday, April 19, 2018

Federal Judge Sandy Mattice has dismissed the lawsuit filed in the officer-involved shooting death of Javario Eagle on Dec. 12, 2015.

Attorney Jamie Parks Varnell of the firm of Davis and Hoss said, "Judge Mattice found the five Chattanooga Police Department officers’ use of deadly force to be reasonable in this case.

"The jury trial was set for May 8 and was scheduled to last for 12 days."

She said, "This ruling is long-awaited closure for the brave officers who put their lives on the line to protect Mr.

Eagle's daughter and others on scene that day. For two years, the actions these officers took on that day have been critiqued and criticized, and yet they have continued to serve our community. Now they can continue to do so knowing that their actions that day were necessary, brave, and undoubtedly saved lives." 

The suit named the city of Chattanooga, Police Chief Fred Fletcher and officers Jacque Weary, Christopher Palmer, Timothy Aaron McFarland, Lorin D. Johnston, Mitchell Moss and Allen Griffith.
 
It was filed by Katina Eagle, mother of Javario Eagle, and Auriana Williams, mother of his minor child.
 
District Attorney General Neal Pinkston earlier announced he would not file charges against the officers.
 
His office said, "An investigation conducted by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office found use of deadly force by officers Lorin Johnston, Allen Griffith, Tim McFarland, Mitchell Moss, Christopher Palmer and Jacques Weary was justified under T.C.A. 39-11-620 and T.C.A. 40-7-108 because Eagle refused repeated commands to surrender to uniformed officers and pointed a pistol at two officers and his young daughter."
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