NCJ Number
122039
Date Published
1989
Length
3 pages
Annotation
In 1985, the United States Supreme Court held that police use of deadly force to apprehend a fleeing burglary suspect was unreasonable, and therefore, a violation of the Fourth Amendment guarantee against unreasonable seizure.
Abstract
On April 17, 1983, two uniformed City of Pontiac police officers were dispatched to a home to investigate a reported burglary. Upon arriving at the address, the two officers witnessed two black males exiting the house and running away. The two officers each drew their guns and each fired two shots at the fleeing suspects. One of the suspects, Anthony Jackson, surrendered to the police. The other suspect, Christopher Cameron, continued to run from the officers. One more shot was fired at the suspect who then scaled the right-of-way fence onto the high-speed expressway. He was struck and killed by a motor vehicle. Cameron was unarmed and the officers both testified that they had not observed a weapon, nor had they felt endangered during the pursuit. On April 8, 1985, the suspect's mother, Betty Cameron, commenced an action against the city and the officers alleging that the officers unjustifiably used deadly force while attempting the apprehension of her son. The court dismissed the action on December 27, 1985, and subsequently the plaintiff filed an appeal.