№00305

Margarita Brooks

In August 2019, 30-year-old Margarita Brooks was shot and killed by a police officer in Arlington, Texas.

Brooks passed out near a shopping center. A police officer approached her to check on her condition. At this time, a dog ran towards him. The officer considered the dog may attack him, so he started shooting. He fired three shots at the dog and accidentally injured Brooks. She died from a gunshot wound to the chest.

The officer resigned from the police department three months after the shooting. In 2020, a grand jury indicted him for criminally negligent homicide. The case is still pending.

In July 2021, Brooks’ relatives sued the city and the police department, accusing them of using excessive force. The lawsuit is seeking $1 million in damages.

СМИ

MASS MEDIA ABOUT THE CASE:

“Our hope is not only that this officer is held responsible for Maggie’s death, but that the Arlington Police Department is also held accountable for its lack of training and procedures in responding to welfare checks,” Brooks’ family said.
Newsweek

“[Officer] Singh had just gone through canine training, he knew what to do in that situation,” attorney Lee Merritt said. “His behavior deviates so substantially from what he was supposed to do, that it does in fact shock the conscience, that he leveled off shots in the direction of a pedestrian, with the intention to shoot a puppy. It was absurd.”
Dallas Observer

FILES

CASE STATUS:

The initiative group has requested the clarification from US President Joseph Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland. The initiative group believes it is important to fight against police brutality and, if necessary, will provide legal and financial assistance to the family of the victim.