Tillman V. The City Of New York Et. Al

Case Background

On April 13, 2018, Plaintiff Antoinette Tillman filed a Wrongful Death lawsuit in the United States District Court, New York Eastern(Case number: 1:18cv2211). This case was assigned to Judge Rachel P. Kovner and referred to Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Marutollo.

Cause

On April 17, 2016, at approximately 1:00 a.m., police officers from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) approached George Homer Tillman III while he stood beside his parked vehicle near 116th Street in South Ozone Park, Queens, New York. The officers confronted Tillman about holding an open bottle of alcohol. He immediately complied by handing the bottle to a friend. Despite his cooperation, the officers escalated the situation unnecessarily. Tillman attempted to return to his vehicle to leave the area with his wife and friends. However, the officers exited their patrol car and approached him aggressively. Their actions created significant fear and apprehension, prompting Tillman to flee on foot out of concern for his safety. While running down 116th Avenue, four police officers discharged multiple rounds at him. The gunfire struck Tillman, causing fatal injuries. He died almost instantly at the scene. Tillman was unarmed during the encounter, and the officers failed to use alternative non-lethal methods, such as tasers or batons, to detain him, despite having those options available. Their actions violated NYPD protocols and reflected a disregard for preserving human life.

Injuries

The officers’ excessive use of force caused severe physical injuries to George Homer Tillman III, resulting in his immediate death. His family, including his wife, Antoinette Tillman, and their three children, experienced profound emotional and psychological trauma. The family endured significant fina