The family of Taylor Lowery, who was fatally shot by Topeka police in 2022, released body camera videos in an effort to dispute the police’s narrative of events. Lowery’s family obtained the footage after a federal magistrate judge ordered the city to relinquish it as part of a wrongful death lawsuit. Lowery died at the scene after five officers discharged their weapons 34 times. The family accused Topeka police of neglecting to properly train its officers on de-escalation tactics and preventing excessive use of force. The city initially refused to release the bodycam videos, but a judge ruled in favor of the family’s request.
The bodycam footage shows that Lowery, who was shot while bending down to grab a wrench, was not running at the police with a knife as initially claimed by authorities. The family obtained the videos to use as evidence in their lawsuit. The lawsuit also highlighted the officers’ failure to use less lethal force options, such as Tasers and pepper spray, before resorting to gunfire. The district attorney’s report stated that the use of force was deemed reasonable and lawful, but the family’s lawsuit disputes this claim.
The release of the bodycam videos sheds new light on the circumstances surrounding Lowery’s death and raises questions about the justification for the use of deadly force by law enforcement. The family’s lawsuit seeks accountability for the officers involved in the shooting and challenges the narrative put forth by the authorities.
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