Knoxville Police Officer Not Liable in 2019 Shooting Death, Federal Jury Rules
In a recent civil trial, a Tennessee police officer, Knoxville police Officer Dylan Williams, has been found not at fault for the fatal shooting of 33-year-old Channara Tom Pheap in 2019. The verdict was delivered by a U.S. District Court jury in Greeneville, dismissing the family’s claims against the officer.
Scuffle Leads to Fatal Shooting
The lawsuit, filed by the family of Channara Tom Pheap, alleged that he was shot in the back while trying to escape from Officer Williams after a scuffle. During the trial, Williams testified that he feared for his life when Pheap wrestled away his Taser and used it on him.
Claims Against the City and Former Police Chief Dismissed
Before the trial began, claims against the city and the former police chief, which included allegations of failure to train and supervise, wrongful death, and negligence, were dismissed.
District Attorney Deemed Use of Force Appropriate
Knox County District Attorney Charme Allen previously ruled that Officer Williams’ use of deadly force was appropriate and lawful in the months following the shooting. According to the initial police report, the incident occurred during a physical struggle, as officers were looking for a female driver involved in a traffic accident.
Family Evaluating Next Steps
Despite the jury’s decision, attorneys representing the Pheap family in the $10 million wrongful death suit expressed disappointment and stated that they were assessing their options for what to do next.
Knoxville Police Department Supports Jury’s Decision
In response to the verdict, the Knoxville Police Department issued a statement, asserting that the jury’s decision aligned with their belief that Officer Williams had acted reasonably given the challenging circumstances he faced.
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