News Summary
The family of Robert Campbell, a man fatally shot by deputies in Greenville County, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit citing negligence and excessive force. The incident, which involved mistaken identity, raises serious concerns over police conduct and accountability. Body camera footage allegedly shows deputies misidentifying Campbell and delaying medical assistance. Campbell’s family argues that he acted in self-defense, believing he was protecting his home from intruders. The outcome of this lawsuit could impact community relations and law enforcement policies in the area.
Greenville, South Carolina – The family of Robert Campbell, a 51-year-old man shot and killed by Greenville County deputies, has initiated a wrongful death lawsuit following the incident that occurred on January 26, 2024, around 11 p.m. The legal action highlights serious allegations against the deputies involved in the encounter that led to Campbell’s death.
The confrontation took place on Piedmont Highway when deputies responded to an assault report. Upon arrival, they mistakenly identified Campbell as the suspect and engaged with him. Body camera footage from the incident has surfaced, revealing that the deputies addressed Campbell by the incorrect name during their interaction.
According to reports from the sheriff’s office, Campbell allegedly fired a shot with a 12-gauge shotgun at the deputies, which prompted a response of gunfire from the officers. Recent accounts indicate that Campbell was struck twice, resulting in fatal injuries.
The lawsuit put forth by Campbell’s family claims that the man acted in self-defense. It is alleged that upon hearing a noise outside his home, he observed figures with flashlights and believed they were trespassers. In an attempt to deter any potential threat, Campbell reportedly fired a warning shot into the air.
The legal filing further claims that a deputy retrieved a personal AR-15-style rifle from a vehicle and discharged it at Campbell while he was over 60 yards away. Perhaps most concerning is the accusation that it took deputies 25 minutes to attempt communication with Campbell following his injuries, during which time he was left bleeding on the ground.
During this critical period, it is alleged that deputies deployed a K-9 unit that “violently ripped into Mr. Campbell’s body,” dragging him by the arm as he lay incapacitated. The lawsuit contends that it was only after this lengthy duration that deputies found the actual suspect involved in the initial assault report, further questioning the validity of their response to Campbell.
The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office has not commented on the pending lawsuit but maintains that an internal investigation concluded that the use of force by the deputies was justified. This assertion has raised concerns among Campbell’s family and their legal representation, leading them to seek the release of unedited body camera footage for public review.
Campbell has been described by his relatives as a loving family man, leading them to believe that his actions on the night of the incident align with an instinctual response to protect his home rather than any intent to threaten law enforcement officers. The lawsuit names Sheriff Hobart Lewis and four deputies involved in the case, alleging negligence and violations of Campbell’s rights during the encounter.
The legal proceedings are set against a backdrop of escalating national conversations regarding police conduct and accountability, particularly in cases resulting in fatalities. The outcome of the lawsuit could have significant implications not only for the Campbell family but also for local law enforcement policies and community relations.
As the case unfolds, it serves to spotlight the delicate balance between public safety and police interventions, with both sides vying for justice in a system that often faces scrutiny. The legal process is expected to delve deeper into the events of that fateful night on Piedmont Highway, seeking answers and accountability for the actions taken by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.
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Additional Resources
- Fox Carolina: Family Man Killed by Greenville County Deputy Files Lawsuit
- Wikipedia: Wrongful Death
- WISTV: Settlement Reached in Lawsuit
- Google Search: Police Conduct Accountability
- Post and Courier: Falls Park Shooting Lawsuit
- Google Scholar: Wrongful Death Lawsuits
- Fox Carolina: $300K Settlement Reached in Shooting Lawsuit
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Law Enforcement Use of Force
- GSA Business: Lawsuit Filed Against City Business
