West News Wire: For shooting a Black man last year, former Columbus, Ohio, police officer Ricky Anderson has been charged with murder and reckless homicide.
Donovan Lewis, 20, was shot and murdered by Anderson in August 2022 as he was unarmed and lying in bed during a search warrant.
The confrontation from last September was captured on body camera video, and Anderson, a 30-year Columbus Police Department veteran, can be seen opening fire nearly immediately after officers enter Lewis’ bedroom. Later, he passed away at a hospital.
Anderson retired in bad standing months after the shooting.
Officer Ricky Anderson broke the law when he shot and killed an unarmed Donovan Lewis as he lay in his bed, according to a statement released on Friday by Rebecca Duran, Lewis’ mother. “We are relieved that a grand jury concluded what we’ve known all along: Officer Ricky Anderson broke the law when he shot and killed an unarmed Donovan Lewis as he laid in his bed,” the statement said. “CPD bodycam video clearly demonstrated this, and for almost a year, nothing has happened. The family of Mr. Lewis is happy that his killer will soon stand trial before a jury of his peers, but they are also dissatisfied that it took so long to reach this decision.
Lewis was being detained by police while they carried out an arrest warrant at his residence for three different offences: domestic abuse, assault, and negligent handling of a handgun.
Mark Collins, the attorney for Anderson, said in a statement last September, “When we analyze police-involved shootings, we must look to the totality of the circumstances, and we are expressly forbidden from using 20/20 hindsight, because unlike all of us, officers are not afforded the luxury of armchair reflection when they are faced with rapidly evolving, volatile encounters in dangerous situations.”
In February, Lewis’ family filed a civil lawsuit against Anderson and the other four police engaged in the raid.
According to the complaint, Anderson has received 58 complaints overall against him over the years, including complaints about the use of force. He has also received criticism for sexual harassment at work.
The attorneys for Duran stated on Friday, “We will continue to fight for justice and accountability in our civil case as prosecutors pursue Mr. Anderson in the criminal case.” “Our hope is that no other parent has to bury their child because of a careless law enforcement officer,” said the spokesperson.
