№00210

Sean O’Brien

Sean Patrick O’Brien, 39, was shot and killed by police in Livingston, Montana.

In January 2016 police were responding a call about a man who was threatening store employees. At the scene they found Sean O’Brien. Police say two officers opened fire on O’Brien after he ran at them with a knife. Officers say they tried to use Taser on him before shooting but it did not work.

O’Brien’s family filed a lawsuit against the city and the police department in 2018 and accused police of negligence and using excessive force. Lawyers for the family dispute police claims that O’Brien threatened the officers with a knife.

In August 2021, a federal jury assigned 49% of the blame to the city. The remaining 51% they assigned to O’Brien. The jury determined the shooting was justified and the O’Brien family received no compensation.

СМИ

MASS MEDIA ABOUT THE CASE:

“At the same time, we believe the jury’s determination that the officers were 49% responsible for Sean’s death sends a powerful message to law enforcement agencies in Montana. The City of Livingston avoided financial liability for Sean’s death by the slimmest possible margin, and we hope this outcome will serve as a deterrent to the unnecessary use of deadly force by law enforcement officers against the citizens of Montana,” the family’s attorney wrote.
Billings Gazette

“We may never know what happened,” City Attorney Courtney Lawellin said. “And I think that is certainly something that the public should know.”
AP NEWS

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.