A police officer who shot and killed a black teenager and his neighbour is now suing the teen’s family because he believes the events have left him traumatised.
On Boxing Day last year, Quintonio LeGrier, 19, was shot and killed near his home in Chicago by Officer Robert Rialmo. Police had been called to the building after reports of a disturbance involving Quintonio and his father, CBS Chicago reports.
A neighbour and mother-of-five Bettie Jones, 55, was also ‘accidentally struck and tragically killed’ during the shooting in the building, a Chicago Police statement said.
Chicago officer involved in gunning down Quintonio LeGrier & Bettie Jones sues teen's estate https://t.co/AgbMdyI6ns pic.twitter.com/e5n2p3yZqZ
— The Root (@TheRoot) February 7, 2016
Quintonio’s father, Antonio LeGrier, filed a wrongful-death suit after his son’s death, claiming his son was unarmed and posed no threat to the officer.
However in a surprise twist, Rialmo, filed a counterclaim on Friday stating ‘extreme emotional trauma.’
The counterclaim contradicts the LeGrier family’s version and claims LeGrier ‘took a full swing [with a baseball bat] at Officer Rialmo’s head, missing it by inches.’
Chicago Cop Tells His Side Of Quintonio LeGrier Shooting, In New Filing https://t.co/Mt77bc1Dy8 #chicago pic.twitter.com/OAzQ4S5Vli
— Chicago News Now (@chicagonewsnow) February 6, 2016
Rialmo explained he shot LeGrier six times and his body blocked Rialmo’s view of Jones, who had opened the door to the apartment building when officers arrived in response to a disturbance call.
Antonio LeGrier’s lawyer was shocked at the officer’s ‘temerity’ in suing the family of the person he shot.
He said:
That’s a new low even for the Chicago Police Department. First you shoot them, then you sue them.
Chicago police officer who fatally shot Quintonio LeGrier and neighbor sues teen's estate, claiming trauma https://t.co/00h3Sz82TL
— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) February 6, 2016
Rialmo’s lawyer, Joel Brodsky, however said it was important to show police were ‘not targets for assaults’ and ‘suffer damage like anybody else.’
The US Justice Department is now conducting a civil rights investigation into the matter.
More of a concept than a journalist, Tom Percival was forged in the bowels of Salford University from which he emerged grasping a Masters in journalism.
Since then his rise has been described by himself as ‘meteoric’ rising to the esteemed rank of Social Editor at UNILAD as well as working at the BBC, Manchester Evening News, and ITV.
He credits his success to three core techniques, name repetition, personality mirroring, and never breaking off a handshake.