The family of Aderrien Murry, an 11-year-old Black boy shot by Mississippi police after calling for help with a domestic dispute, has filed a $5 million lawsuit, per CNN.
Aderrien’s shooting unfolded on May 20 when police responded to a domestic disturbance call at his mother’s home. His mother, Nakala Murry, had asked Aderrien to call 911 after the father of one of her children showed up at their home “irate” at 4 a.m.
According to the mother, Officer Greg Capers arrived at their front door with his gun drawn and asked everyone to step outside of the home. Nakala said her son was shot in the chest as he was following the officer’s orders.
“Once [Aderrien] came from around the corner, he got shot,” she said. “I cannot grasp why. The same cop that told [us] to come out of the house. [Aderrien] did, and he got shot. He kept asking, ‘Why did he shoot me? What did I do wrong?’”
On Tuesday (May 30), Nakala Murry filed the $5 million suit in federal court alleging that Capers “failed to assess the situation before displaying and/or discharging his firearm.”
The lawsuit also names the City of Indianola, Mississippi, its police chief, and multiple officers as defendants. “The injuries endured by the defendants could have been avoided if defendants would have acquired the adequate training on how to provide proper assistance and care,” the suit states.
Following the shooting, Aderrien was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for injuries including a collapsed lung, fractured ribs, and a lacerated liver. He has since been released from the hospital.
Indianola Mayor Ken Featherstone told CNN that he would like to see justice for the child, but “cannot support the firing of (Capers) before knowing all the facts, and at this time I don’t know all the facts.” Featherstone noted that he hasn’t viewed body camera footage of the incident or spoken to the officer involved.
The mayor added that he has talked to the family and looks forward to “making everyone whole.”
“I’m sure we’re insured, but we don’t have $5 million sitting there,” he said.
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