– Deputies fatally shoot homeowner during search for brother-in-law
– Lawsuit filed after deputies kill homeowner during brother-in-law search.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
A tragic incident unfolded during a raid conducted by law enforcement seeking a man’s brother-in-law, who was staying at his house. The homeowner, David Wright, was shot and killed during the operation, leading his wife, Vickie Wright, to file an $8 million wrongful death lawsuit in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville.
The lawsuit, filed on May 10, names Sevier County, the city of Sevierville, and six law enforcement officers who were allegedly involved in the raid on the evening of May 12, 2023.
Despite reaching out to the municipalities and individuals named in the lawsuit, McClatchy News did not receive any responses.
Details of the multi-agency operation
According to the lawsuit, the incident began when an officer from the Sevierville Police Department attempted to pull over Vickie Wright’s brother, Daryl Higdon, who was accused of driving with a suspended license. Higdon did not stop, leading to a pursuit that was eventually called off due to traffic conditions.
Following this, both the Sevierville Police Department and the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office organized a joint operation to arrest Higdon, who was residing with his sister and brother-in-law, David Wright.
During the operation, six law enforcement officers and a police dog surrounded the Wrights’ home and spotted Higdon on the back porch. When Higdon went inside the house, officers approached the front door and demanded entry. David Wright opened the door for the officers, after which Higdon returned with a shotgun pointed at the ceiling.
Despite officers instructing Higdon to put the gun down, he refused, leading to a confrontation that resulted in gunfire being exchanged. The Wrights sought refuge in their bedroom as law enforcement officers allegedly fired indiscriminately into the home.
After the shooting ceased, a deputy allegedly shot David Wright in the head. Vickie Wright, who was also struck by a fragment of the fatal bullet, claimed that she was handcuffed and placed in the back of a police car without receiving medical attention.
Investigation and legal actions
Following the incident, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation conducted an investigation, and the Sevier County District Attorney’s Office determined that the deputy involved believed Higdon was coming through the door, not David Wright.
Despite the findings, none of the law enforcement officers faced disciplinary actions or charges in connection with the shooting.
In the lawsuit, Vickie Wright alleged that the officers from both agencies failed to coordinate and communicate effectively during the operation. She claimed that the officers’ actions were “shocking to the conscience” and violated her and her husband’s constitutional rights.
The lawsuit seeks $5 million in compensatory damages for David Wright’s death and $3 million in compensatory damages for Vickie Wright’s injuries.
Sevier County, located in eastern Tennessee, is approximately a 30-mile drive southeast from Knoxville.
.
Deputies kill homeowner during raid seeking brother in law
Deputies kill homeowner during raid seeking wife in law.
