Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend Kenneth Walker filed a lawsuit against the Louisville Police Department demanding immunity from prosecution for his actions on the night of Taylor’s death.
Walker’s attorneys argued in a civil complaint that he should not face prosecution for the single shot he fired that wounded an officer after the department executed a no-knock raid of Taylor’s home earlier this year. Walker has maintained that he believed the officers were home intruders because they did not identify themselves when they broke into the home.
“Kenny continues to reel from the death of the love of his life, but he is also the victim and survivor of police misconduct — misconduct that threatens his freedom to this day,” the attorneys stated in the complaint, which was filed in Jefferson County District Court on Tuesday.
Walker was arrested and charged with attempted murder on the night of Taylor’s death in March. The charges against Walker were dropped in May, but the events of the night are still under investigation. Walker’s attorneys argued that he should be immune from any pending charges related to the case because of Kentucky’s “stand your ground” laws.
The complaint stated that Walker “did not in fact know, nor should he have known” that it was police officers who had banged on his door and busted into the apartment without identifying themselves. Walker legally owned his weapon and had a valid concealed carry permit. Walker said he fired a “warning shot” which hit one officer in the leg.
Walker’s attorneys also demanded financial damages on behalf of their client for assault, battery, malicious prosecution, and false arrest and imprisonment. Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney Tom Wine, Louisville Police Chief Rob Schroeder, former Chief Steve Conrad, the Louisville Area Governmental Self-Insurance Trust, and 13 police officers were all named in the lawsuit.
Taylor, a 26-year-old healthcare worker, was shot eight times and died during the raid on her home. The department was searching for drugs but found none. Detective Brett Hankison, the officer who shot Taylor, has been fired from the department. The two other officers who were at the raid have been reassigned to administrative duties.
The FBI and the Kentucky attorney general’s office are investigating the shooting to decide if charges should be filed against the officers. Taylor’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city and the department.
