The Cooper Elliott, and Wright & Schulte Law Firms announced they are filing a complaint against the city of Columbus on April 18, 2024. The Cooper Elliott, and Wright & Schulte Law Firms announced they are filing a complaint against the city of Columbus on Thursday.The suit includes the Columbus Division of Police Chief, Elaine Bryant. The complaint will be filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District.
Columbus law enforcement needs to target crime, not color," said attorney Rex Elliot during the announcement. The law firms represent the estate of Donovan Lewis. Lewis was killed in 2022 when he was shot by Officer Rickey Anderson of the Columbus Division of Police during a middle-of-the-night warrant service, according to the statement.
The lawsuit urges the court to address the CPD's culture of excessive force and racial hostility, and 11 specific, "commonsense" reforms.