Norfolk Injury Lawyer John Cooper is Interviewed over Fatal Police Shooting

John Cooper of Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers was recently invited to be interviewed by News Channel 3 about one of the most disturbing cases the law firm has been involved in, in recent years.

In the interview he branded by fatal drive-by shooting of Joshua “Omar” Johnson in May, 2013  at a Wells Fargo Bank in Ghent in Norfolk as “unnecessary and preventable.”

John Cooper got involved in the case after Norfolk police refused to let the family of Johnson see the video of the young man’s fatal encounter with officers. He sued the City of Norfolk to get the tape and was successful in securing its release.

In the TV interview, the Norfolk personal injury lawyer said the bank video fails to support the city’s claims that a police officer was forced to shoot Johnson because Johnson used his car to run down the officer’s partner.

Officer Matthew Watson and Officer Matthew Williams were dispatched to the Wells Fargo on 21st St. after a bank teller discovered Johnson was trying to cash a stolen check. Watson ended up parking his cruiser to block Johnson’s car. Williams was on foot. He was behind Johnson’s gold Mercedes.  John Cooper said video surveillance showed Watson getting out of the cruiser with his gun drawn, pointing it at Johnson’s car.

John Cooper says the car did not speed backward, as police claimed after the shooting.

“It really doesn’t,” he said. “The officer is able to step and keep pace with the vehicle. Not at a run, but at a quick walk. So, it is essentially walking speed.”

The speed in which the car was moving may prove pivotal to this tragic case. John Cooper has also disputed claims Williams suffered injuries from the car, saying it is his understanding that the police officer was not hurt.

A federal judge has recently ruled that Cooper Hurley’s wrongful death lawsuit against the officers can move forward.

Wrongful death cases are the most difficult cases the attorneys at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers deal with. Often a death can cause serious financial hardship or leave a family seeking justice over the death of a loved one. If you have lost a loved one due to the fault of another call Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers at 757.455.0077 or see our Virginia wrongful death information.