Virginia man files $26 million lawsuit over shooting by deputy

A Virginia man has filed a $26 million lawsuit after being shot multiple times by a Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s deputy earlier this year.

Isiah Brown filed the lawsuit on Tuesday against Deputy David Matthew Turbyfill and Sheriff Roger Harris. The lawsuit accuses the officer, who remains on leave, of excessive force, battery and negligence.

The complaint alleges that the officer’s actions caused Brown to “suffer extensive, extreme, ongoing physical and mental pain, anguish, suffering, disfigurement, humiliation, and economic losses.”

“Mr. Brown will never fully recover from the scars and impairment to his body and mind,” the complaint states.

The Hill has reached out to the Spotsylvania sheriff’s office for comment. 

On the evening of April 21, Brown called dispatchers over a dispute with his brother regarding car keys. He can be heard on a recording of the call threatening to kill his brother, prompting a response from police.

Brown was outside walking down the road when Turbyfill arrived. The officer demanded to see Brown’s hands and demanded that he drop a gun, but Brown told the dispatcher that he did not have a gun.

Turbyfill shot Brown eight times, causing him to be hospitalized in critical condition. He was discharged from the hospital in late May.

Turbyfill was placed on leave pending an investigation into the incident. He was later indicted in July for “reckless handling of firearm resulting in serious injury,” in connection with the shooting, and faces up to five years in prison.

Brown is seeking a total of $26.3 million in compensation for severe bodily injury, pain and future medical expenses, as well as damages. The lawsuit was filed in Richmond federal court.

“Isiah Brown’s life will never be the same after his tragic encounter with David Turbyfill,” Brown’s attorney David Haynes said in an emailed statement.

Haynes said he hopes the lawsuit will force the sheriff’s office to “enhance their training and update their policies and procedures so that this never happens to another person.”