Sarah Mclaughlin V. City Of Spokane Et Al

Case Background

On August 22, 2024, Plaintiff  Sarah McLaughlin filed a Wrongful death lawsuit due to a police shooting in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Washington at Spokane (Case number: 1:19cv604). Judge  Judge Mary K. Dimke presided over this case.

Cause

On September 4, 2022, Sarah McLaughlin suffered the devastating loss of her fiancé, Robert Bradley, in a fatal police shooting. Officers from the Spokane Police Department (SPD) escalated what should have been a routine task of serving a protection order into a tragic and unnecessary death. Instead of approaching the situation peacefully, the officers treated the scene as though conducting a military-style raid.

At approximately 10:19 PM, the officers parked their vehicles in a dark alley near Robert Bradley’s home without activating their lights or sirens. They moved stealthily toward the property, where Robert was unloading his van after a camping trip. Unaware of the officers’ presence and hard of hearing, Robert posed no immediate threat. The officers suddenly issued a verbal command as he stood by his vehicle. Before Robert could process the situation or comply, they opened fire, shooting him nine times at close range. The fatal police shooting unfolded in his own driveway, with Sarah and Robert’s two young children witnessing the horrific event from inside the house.

Injuries

The fatal police shooting left Sarah McLaughlin profoundly traumatized. She watched helplessly as officers shot Robert multiple times, leaving him bleeding and writhing in their gravel driveway. Several bullets struck their family home, placing Sarah and the children in immediate danger. The officers’ reckless actions shattered Sarah’s sense of safety and left her paralyzed with fear.

After the shooting, Sarah witnessed officers cutting off Robert’s clothes, applying tourniquets, and attempting to stop the bleeding. Standing just feet away, she saw her fiancé’s final moments, covered in blood and dirt. This devastating scene inflicted severe emotional and psychological damage, leaving Sarah grappling with immense grief and the loss of her shared future with Robert.

Damages

The Spokane Police Department’s actions during the fatal police shooting caused irreparable harm to Sarah McLaughlin. She endured the devastating loss of her fiancé, along with the emotional support and companionship he provided. The trauma of witnessing the fatal police shooting left her with ongoing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.

In addition to her emotional suffering, the officers’ reckless actions endangered Sarah’s life and destroyed her sense of security. Bullets fired during the shooting struck the family home, further compounding her mental anguish. Sarah continues to face financial burdens from therapy, legal fees, and other expenses directly linked to the wrongful death of Robert Bradley.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal representation

  • Plaintiff(s): Sarah McLaughlin, individually
    • Counsel for Plaintiff: John Connelly |  Meaghan M Driscoll
  • Defendant(s): City of Spokane, a political subdivision of the State of Washington | Trevor Walker, individually and in his official capacity | Christopher Johnson, individually and in his official capacity
    • Counsel for Defendants: Brian C Augenthaler | Richard B Jolley | Stewart Andrew Estes

Claims

Sarah McLaughlin filed claims against the City of Spokane, the Spokane Police Department, and the individual officers involved. She alleged that the SPD’s actions during the fatal police shooting violated her constitutional right to intimate association under the First Amendment. The use of excessive force and the unjustified killing of Robert Bradley deprived her of a close and personal relationship with her fiancé.

Sarah also brought claims of negligent infliction of emotional distress, asserting that the officers’ reckless and unreasonable behavior caused her severe trauma. Additionally, she alleged that the City of Spokane failed to properly train its officers or enforce protocols for serving protection orders. This failure directly contributed to the escalation of the situation into a fatal police shooting. Sarah seeks compensatory damages for her personal and emotional losses and punitive damages to hold the defendants accountable for their misconduct.

Defense

The defendants, including the City of Spokane and officers Trevor Walker and Christopher Johnson, denied the allegations in Sarah McLaughlin’s complaint. They acknowledged their roles in serving a court-issued protection order but argued that Robert Bradley’s own actions led to the fatal police shooting. The protection order, they claimed, was issued because the court determined that Robert posed an imminent threat due to unlawful conduct and firearm possession.

The defense maintained that the officers acted lawfully, reasonably, and in good faith. They denied any recklessness or excessive use of force, asserting that their actions were justified under the circumstances. The defendants argued that Robert Bradley’s behavior, including alleged intoxication and the commission of a felony, was the proximate cause of his death.

They also raised several affirmative defenses, including:

  1. Robert Bradley’s conduct directly contributing to the events and injuries.
  2. The officers’ qualified immunity for actions performed in good faith.
  3. Sarah McLaughlin’s alleged failure to mitigate her damages.

The defense sought dismissal of Sarah’s claims and recovery of their legal fees.

Jury Verdict

On January 6, 2024, the Spokane City Council approved a $500,000 settlement to resolve Sarah McLaughlin’s lawsuit. This settlement concluded the claims surrounding the fatal police shooting of Robert Bradley. The council’s decision came after extensive deliberations, recognizing the emotional and psychological toll Sarah endured.

 Court Documents:

Documents are available for purchase upon request at jurimatic@exlitem.com