Oklahoma City and two of its police officers are facing a federal lawsuit from the family of a man who was shot and killed last year.
60-year-old Bennie Edwards was shot in the back by police as he ran away from them on December 11, 2020.
Oklahoma City police officers Keith Duroy and Clifford Holman say they found Edwards holding a knife outside of a business. When he would not drop the knife, they first used pepper spray and a stun gun on him.
Holman then shot at Edwards three times as he ran away, killing him.
A bystander video of the shooting was posted to social media and sparked a loud public outcry denouncing the officers’ actions. Holman has since been charged with manslaughter.
Edwards’ family says the officers used unnecessary force and did not offer any aid after they shot him. The family also says Edwards suffered from bipolar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia. They are now suing the city and the officers for $75,000.
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