The Louisville police officer who was shot during the narcotics raid on Breonna Taylor’s apartment has filed a countersuit against Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker. The narcotics raid was done with a signed no-knock search warrant meant to catch suspected drug dealers thought to be using Ms. Taylor’s apartment to receive packages by surprise. After the police officers had broken in, a gunfight between Mr. Walker and the police force, resulted in the wounding of Sergeant Mattingly and the death of Breonna Taylor. All police officers were able to leave the exchange alive due to receiving prompt and proper medical help for their injuries; however, according to the Louisville Police Department, Ms. Taylor was neglected for more than 20 minutes after she was struck by the gunshot, ultimately causing her to pass away from severe loss of blood.
Mr. Walker initially sued the city and the police department for the damages done to him and his property, stating his innocence in the case was backed by the state’s “stand your ground” law, which allows someone on his or her property to attack someone assaulting them in self defense if they are invading their space. However, in this new countersuit, Sergeant Mattingly’s attorney Mr. Kent Wicker stated that Mr. Walker “willingly or maliciously” shot at the sergeant, injuring the femoral artery in his upper thigh.
“Sgt. Mattingly was shot and nearly killed by Kenneth Walker. He’s entitled to, and should, use the legal process to seek a remedy for the injury that Walker has caused him,” Mr. Wicker said in a statement.
Alleging assault, battery and emotional distress, Mattingly’s suit states that Mr. Walker’s conduct was “outrageous, intolerable and offends all accepted standards of decency and morality.”
“Walker did intentionally shoot Mattingly or acted recklessly in firing his pistol in the direction of the Police Officers who were serving a search warrant,” the suit stated.
Students are divided on whether the murder of Ms. Taylor was justified or not. “Even though it is unfortunate that [Breonna Taylor] was killed, the police were just trying to do their job. If Kenneth Walker had just cooperated with the force, everyone would be alive without injury today, so it makes sense that Mattingly would sue,” Rebecca Rodriguez, a junior who identifies as conservative, said.
On the contrary, students who identify as liberals had the opposite view. “They busted into her house, yet didn’t expect any retaliation? Conservatives always want to advocate for guns and self defense, but this case is a prime example of self defense,” junior Skye Stubbs said.
This case has actually prompted the Louisville, Ky., Metro Council to vote unanimously against the use of no-knock warrants. Louisville Mayor, Greg Fischer, was eager to sign and approve the proposed law, as he said, “This is one of many critical steps on police reform that we’ve taken to create a more peaceful, just, compassionate and equitable community.”
