Family of Man Shot by Nashville Police Plans Legal Action
The family of Joshua Kersey, a 30-year-old man shot and killed by Metro Nashville Police Department officers, has hired two attorneys and intends to pursue legal action. This development follows a series of recently filed lawsuits that claim officers in both Mt. Juliet and Nashville used deadly force unnecessarily in separate incidents.
The fatal confrontation occurred in Antioch when Kersey allegedly held a housemate hostage at knifepoint. Metro Police Officer Cole Ranseen fatally shot Kersey after negotiating with him through a closed bedroom door for about 40 minutes. The Crisis Intervention Team, established to handle mental health crises, was unable to respond as they were attending to another scene.
Kersey’s sister had called 911 to report that her brother had taken her keys and driven away while intoxicated, and she also mentioned his severe mental issues. The body camera footage released after the incident reportedly reveals that Officer Ranseen had no intention of arresting Joshua Kersey. In fact, in one part of the footage, the officer is heard saying, If I have a shot, I’m taking it. Additionally, the video shows that Kersey was lying on the floor when he was shot.
The family’s attorneys argue that the officers used unnecessary force and are seeking justice for Kersey’s death. Their case joins other pending lawsuits against the police department, including one filed by the widow of Mark Capps, a Grammy-award-winning sound engineer killed in an officer-involved shooting in Hermitage earlier this year. Attorneys in that case claim that law enforcement officers were responsible for Capps’ unnecessary death and argue that he did not pose an imminent threat to the officers. Another civil lawsuit has been filed against the Mt. Juliet Police Department after the shooting and killing of Eric Allen during a traffic stop last November.
These cases bring attention to the use of deadly force by law enforcement officers in Nashville and Mt. Juliet, raising concerns about the protocols and training in dealing with individuals with mental health issues. As legal proceedings move forward, the families of the victims hope to find justice and promote accountability within the police departments involved.
Overall, these incidents have prompted renewed discussions on reforming law enforcement practices to ensure public safety while minimizing the risk of unnecessary violence. As more information is revealed and the legal process unfolds, it remains to be seen how these cases will shape the conversation surrounding police conduct, mental health intervention, and the pursuit of justice for the victims and their families.
Disclaimer: This article does not intend to take a stance on the issue but rather presents information from various perspectives. It is not conclusive and will be updated as more details emerge from ongoing investigations and legal proceedings.
