Photojournalist Shot by Deputy After Camera Mistaken for a Weapon Files a Lawsuit

Photojournalist Shot by Deputy After Camera Mistaken for a Weapon Files a Lawsuit

Andy Grimm, who was shot twice after having his camera and tripod mistaken as a weapon, had previously been quoted as saying he didn’t want Sheriff’s Deputy Jake Shaw to lose his job over the incident.

The lawsuit lists Grimm, his wife Melanie, and his employer KBA News LLC as the plaintiffs against the city. There are a total of seven claims for relief, which are:

  • Andy Grimm against Deputy Shaw for excessive force in violation of the Fourth and/or Fourteenth Amendment
  • Andy Grimm against Clark County, Ohio, and the City of New Carlisle for ‘Failure to Hire, Train, and Supervise and for Customs, Policies, and Practices Causing Violations of the Fourth Amendment’
  • Andy Grimm against Deputy Shaw, Clark County and New Carlisle for common law assault and battery
  • Andy and Melanie Grimm against Deputy Shaw, Clark County and New Carlisle for common law intentional infliction of emotional distress claims
  • Melanie Grimm against Deputy Shaw, Clark County and New Carlisle for loss of consortium
  • Andy Grimm against Deputy Shaw, Clark County and New Carlisle for lost wages
  • KBA News, LLC (commonly known as New Carlisle News) against Deputy Shaw and Clark County for claim of intentional interference with contractual relations

The lawsuit describes the incident as Deputy Shaw shooting Grimm “inexplicably,” and seeks more than $75,000, exclusive of interests and costs, for the injuries that Grimm sustained.

Grimm had been driving home when he overheard news of a speed violation traffic stop, which he then went to photograph. It was here he encountered Shaw and, despite allegedly waving at him and flashing his lights, he was shot with no prior warning.

The lawsuit states Shaw shot with the intention to kill or cause serious bodily harm. It also claims New Carlisle News have suffered a bias from Clark County Sheriff’s Office on any occasion they try to gain information on breaking local news stories. The documents allege this is done in retaliation to the events of the shooting.

Grimm claims he now suffers symptoms like headaches, shaking, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and lowered self confidence.

Lead image by fsHH via Pixabay.

[via Fox 45 Now]

Jack Alexander's picture

A 28-year-old self-taught photographer, Jack Alexander specialises in intimate portraits with musicians, actors, and models.

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