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Wife calls 911 for help, then cops shoot Texas man dead amid mental health crisis, suit says

Lauren Liebhaber, The Charlotte Observer on

Published in News & Features

When deputies arrived, Harrod was passed out on his lawn “lying prone on his stomach,” with his gun under his body, the suit said.

According to the lawsuit, five deputies surrounded Harrod for 18 minutes yelling and using “taunting tones,” issuing contradictory instructions like “get away from the gun” but also "don't move."

After Harrod yelled back at law enforcement, one deputy fired a Taser and two others fired their guns a moment later, striking him in the face and arm, officials said.

“Mr. Harrod was shot and killed less than one second after the taser was deployed,” the lawsuit said. “It was physically impossible for him to reach for the gun, much less put the deputies in fear for their lives in that period of time.”

Body camera footage from the incident shows one deputy saying “I never could see the gun, I never saw it,” with another responding “I know,” according to the lawsuit.

In the news release, the Llano County Sheriff’s Office said “deputies observed Harrod with a gun,” and “fearing for their safety,” they fired after he refused to drop it.

Medical aid was started after Harrod repeatedly said, “I’m dying,” according to the suit.

The sheriff’s office said Harrod died in the ambulance while being taken to a medical helicopter.

 

Lawsuit accuses deputies of constitutional violations

The lawsuit states that the use of excessive and deadly force by law enforcement violated Harrod’s Fourth and 14th Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures and the right to due process.

It also accuses the Llano County Sheriff’s Office of “failing to adequately train, supervise or discipline deputies” and implement policy changes to prevent this type of escalation.

Harrod’s wife seeks a trial by jury; actual, compensatory and exemplary damages; and a “declaratory judgment that defendants violated plaintiff’s constitutionally protected right,” according to the lawsuit.

Harrod is described in the suit as a man who loved music, including playing the banjo, singing and dancing. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and two stepdaughters.

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