Mother Files Lawsuit Against Bixby Officer In Teenage Son's Death

Friday, September 21st 2018, 5:09 pm

By: News On 6

The family of a Bixby teen shot and killed by police on July 22, 2018, has filed a lawsuit against a Bixby police officer.

Tiffany Simpson is suing the officer on behalf of her deceased son's estate, court records show. The lawsuit states the officer deprived Logan Simpson, 16, of his fourth amendment right to be free from excessive force.

The lawsuit notes that the City of Bixby has not released the name of the officer involved in the shooting, but the family's attorney states it was Jon Little.

"If undersigned counsel is mistaken as to the identity of Logan Simpson's killer he will gladly amend this complaint," the lawsuit states.

The shooting stemmed from a dispute at the Simpsons’ home in the 16400 block of South 84th East Avenue. The lawsuit, filed Friday, states Logan and his older brother were hanging out with a third person when that person became violent and attacked both brothers.

Their mother, Tiffany Simpson, initially called officers to report her son was being attacked. During the aftermath of that attack, Logan drove off in his vehicle, but his mother initially thought someone had stolen the SUV.

She told police the vehicle had been stolen, then corrected that information to police at the home, the document states.

7/26/2018 Related Story: Family Of Bixby Teen: Police Murdered Our Son

Bixby Police said at the time they were told at the home that someone had stolen the family vehicle, and an officer tried to stop it. Police said Logan was driving towards them when their officer opened fire.

An attorney for the family said the 16-year-old was trying to drive away from officers when he was killed.

"The officers at the scene did nothing to cancel the stolen vehicle call that went out over the radio," the document states. "While the officers were at her home Tiffany Simpson heard the 'shots fired' call come over the police radios."

The lawsuit alleges Logan Simpson drove down a dead end street (East 176th Street South) and turned around. He was driving past where Officer Little was parked when the Bixby officer opened fire, the document states.

The lawsuit says two rounds hit Logan Simpson in the "left flank," resulting in his death.

The lawsuit also alleges that at the time Little opened fire on Simpson's vehicle, the officer was in no physical danger and "Officer Little's shooting of Logan Simpson was unjustified and unlawful."

The lawsuit does not state a specific amount that is being sought.

“The city of Bixby legal team has not had a chance to review the lawsuit, so they will have no comment at this time,” said Jenifer Rush, a spokeswoman for the city of Bixby.