Widow of man shot, killed by police now suing officers

PITTSBURGH — The widow of a Pittsburgh man who was shot and killed in his own house is suing the officers she claims shot him instead of the burglar they called police for in the first place.

Channel 11 obtained a copy of the federal lawsuit which takes aim at the police chief, three Pittsburgh police officers and the city itself.

Christopher Thompkins was shot and killed in January of 2017 inside his house on Finley Street.

Brenda Richmond, Thompkins' wife, told Channel 11 soon after that police shot the wrong guy.

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Instead of shooting at the alleged intruder, Juan Brian Jetter-Clark, responding officers shot and killed Thompkins.

Richmond told Channel 11 she would seek justice for her husband. Now she has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in federal court.

The individual officers are not named in the lawsuit because according to Richmond's attorney, the city refuses to release their names.

Part of the lawsuit claims, "Police gave no warning of their presence or intent to use deadly force."

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Police Chief Scott Schubert and the city of Pittsburgh are being sued because of, "Failure to adequately train police officers in use of deadly force" and that "Thompkins experienced great pain and suffering before his death."

Channel 11 contacted city officials about the lawsuit. Mayor Bill Peduto's office responded, "Per our law department, we are reviewing the complaint and will be taking appropriate action."

The officers involved in the shooting returned to work last February.

As for the district attorney who was reviewing the officer's use of force, Channel 11 contacted the office and was told no comment.

Cox Media Group