Norfolk, Va. – A lawyer’s office representing the family of Joshua “Omar” Johnson, shot to death by Norfolk Police in a Ghent bank drive-through in 2013, says the lawsuit against the city has been settled.
Likewise, a memorial Facebook page maintained by Johnson’s family and friends posted at 10 a.m. Friday: “While no amount of money will bring ‘Omar’ back, economic sanctions bring about a measure of justice! For that reason I am pleased to announce the settlement in the wrongful death of Joshua ‘Omar’ Johnson at the hands of Norfolk police officer Matthew A. Watson.”
However, through a city spokeswoman, Norfolk City Attorney Bernard Pishko said the matter wasn’t yet concluded. An email sent to NewsChannel 3 and attributed to Pishko said, “The case is not yet settled. It is likely to settle but settlement has not been concluded and won’t without a court order.”
- Click here to read the wounded officer’s response to the lawsuit
- Click here to read Norfolk Police Department’s press release on the shooting
- Click here to read the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s report
- Click here to read the federal court judge’s ruling on the excessive force lawsuit
Johnson’s family sued Norfolk and the two police officers involved in the deadly shooting at a Wells Fargo bank drive-through in May, 2013. Police said then Johnson was driving a gold Mercedes and trying to cash a stolen check. Tellers called police.
Two officers arrived. One blocked the Mercedes from the front with his patrol car. The second officer walked to the rear of Johnson’s car. Johnson put his car into reverse.
Police insisted the car reversed quickly and struck the second officer, who said he feared falling off the trunk and being run over. That forced the first officer to open fire, killing Johnson. But in the family’s lawsuit, attorney John Cooper said bank surveillance video contradicts that account. He said the car backed out the lane slowly, and that the officer behind the car was not in danger. That made the shooting excessive force, Cooper said.
Police also insisted Officer Matthew Williams was hurt only by the reversing car. But a Commonwealth’s Attorney’s report and Williams’ answer to the lawsuit agree one officer shot the other. Officer Matthew Watson’s bullets killed Johnson, but at least one hit his partner in the leg.
Surveillance footage from the day has also been released. The most compelling video released lasts a little over 20 minutes. It shows Johnson and the passenger, Virgie May Hairiston, pull up at the bank’s drive-through teller window. They sit for approximately 11 minutes before you see Johnson put the car into reverse and back out of the drive-through. A police officer with his gun drawn then walks through the frame following the vehicle. The shooting happens off-screen. The remainder of the video shows the arrival of police and the parking lot being taped off.
The Commonwealth’s Attorney ruled the shooting justified.
Previous:
- Attorney says police shooting ‘unnecessary and preventable’
- One police shooting, three official accounts
- Judge outlines facts that contradict officers’ account of deadly Wells Fargo shooting in Norfolk
- Cousin of man killed by Norfolk Police: ‘It’s a step closer into the justice that we’re seeking’
- Rally held for man shot by Norfolk officer at Wells Fargo
- Commonwealth’s Attorney says deadly force was justified in Wells Fargo shooting
- Family wants investigation after man is shot by police
- Family of Norfolk man killed by officer says police ‘responded too aggressively’
- Norfolk Police identify man killed by officer at Wells Fargo
- Update: Police officer kills man at Norfolk Wells Fargo; deceased suspect identified
