The white bar owner accused of killing a 22-year-old black protester in Omaha, Nebraska, died by apparent suicide on Sunday, according to local authorities.
Jake Gardner’s body was found in Portland, Oregon, less than a week after a grand jury indicted him on charges of manslaughter, attempted first-degree assault, terroristic threats, and use of a firearm in connection with a felony linked to the shooting death of James Scurlock, a 22-year-old black man who was participating in the George Floyd protests on May 30.
Stu Dornan, an attorney for Gardner, said that his client was expected to return from Portland on Sunday evening to turn himself in to the authorities. Dornan maintained that Gardner’s decision to shoot Scurlock was made in self-defense. He noted that Gardner suffered two traumatic brain injuries while serving in the Middle East. He said that the scenes of the protests reminded Gardner of a war zone.
“I want to make it very clear that this was a clear case of self-defense,” Dornan said. “The grand jury indictment was a shock to him. He was really shook up.”
Dornan said that Gardner had been receiving death threats because of his role in Scurlock’s death. Tom Monaghan, another attorney for Gardner, said that people on social media had already judged Gardner and he feared for his life because of the persistent threats.
“There’s no way to defend the lies on social media. When you respond, you only make it worse. We have to stop the lies,” he said, later adding, “Jake was worried he was going to get shot on the way here, that some of those folks would gave him death threats … would carry through with them.”
Scurlock’s death occurred on May 30 after Gardner confronted a group of protesters outside of his bar. His attorneys said that the front window of Gardner’s bar had been broken by a pole, and protesters had started climbing into the building. Gardner called 911 and pulled his fire alarm before confronting the protesters and getting into a scuffle with Scurlock and ultimately shooting him.
Dornan said he was disappointed that he could not continue through with the trial because he wanted to clear Gardner’s name.
“I’m angry he didn’t have the opportunity for a fair trial, for a fair hearing,” Dornan said.
