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Judge Allows Lawsuit Over Seattle Police Shooting to Proceed

7/5/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A federal judge has greenlit Rose Johnson's lawsuit against Seattle police for excessive force, stemming from the tragic shooting of her son, Ryan Smith, in 2019. The 9th Circuit Court dismissed the officers' claims of qualified immunity, as Johnson contends they neglected to de-escalate the encounter despite Smith's mental health struggles. A trial is scheduled for September 15.

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Story summary

A federal judge has greenlit Rose Johnson's lawsuit against Seattle police for excessive force, stemming from the tragic shooting of her son, Ryan Smith, in 2019. The 9th Circuit Court dismissed the officers' claims of qualified immunity, as Johnson contends they neglected to de-escalate the encounter despite Smith's mental health struggles. A trial is scheduled for September 15.