Marietta, Georgia – The family and friends of Devonte Brown, a Black man who was fatally shot by a police officer, have filed a federal lawsuit alleging the use of “excessive and deadly force.” Brown, a 28-year-old father of four, was killed in August 2021 by Cobb County Officer Ian McConnell, who was not charged after a grand jury review.
The incident sparked outrage when video footage from McConnell’s body-worn camera was released, showing the officer shooting Brown, who was unarmed and still inside his car, obscured by airbags. The lawsuit, supported by the NAACP and the family of another Black teenager shot dead by Cobb County Police, accuses McConnell of causing Brown’s wrongful death through assault and battery.
According to the lawsuit, the chain of events began when Brown was stopped for “driving erratically” in Marietta. When asked to show his license, he refused, and an officer called for backup. Instead of complying, Brown drove off, leading to a brief police chase that ended when he crashed into a concrete pillar, causing his airbags to deploy. McConnell, the last officer to arrive at the scene, rammed his patrol vehicle into the driver’s side of Brown’s car, trapping him.
The lawsuit alleges that McConnell shouted at Brown to raise his hands before firing twelve shots, with eight hitting Brown. No other officers discharged their weapons. It seeks a jury trial and claims that McConnell acted with “willful indifference” and conscious awareness of the harm he could cause Brown.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation reported finding a firearm in Brown’s car. However, Brown’s family and their legal representatives argue that he was trapped and defenseless due to the deployed airbags, making him unable to pose a threat to officer safety. They claim that McConnell’s actions were unjustified and should be held accountable.
The Cobb County Police Department has been contacted for comment, but they have not provided a response. The department previously stated, after the grand jury’s decision, that it respected the outcome but could not discuss the case extensively due to ongoing legal proceedings.
Monica Brown, Devonte Brown’s aunt and adoptive mother, expressed her belief that the use of force was excessive. She questioned whether there were alternatives to de-escalate the situation, leaving her nephew alive. The family’s legal team is determined to fight for justice, highlighting the need for accountability in cases of excessive police force.
The lawsuit represents another incident that has drawn attention to issues of police brutality and accountability in the United States. As tensions continue to mount, the pursuit of justice for victims like Devonte Brown remains a priority for communities and advocacy organizations seeking systemic change.