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Family of 18-Year-Old Shot by Police During 2006 Home Raid Sues University of North Carolina Wilmington for Wrongful Death

The family of 18-year-old Peyton Strickland is suing the University of North Carolina Wilmington and its police department for his wrongful death. Peyton died in December 2006 when he was shot through the door of his rental residence by armed police officers who arrived at his home after they received inaccurate information about him.

According to the North Carolina wrongful death lawsuit, filed with the state?s Industrial Commission, the Strickland family is accusing the defendants of conducting an investigation that was messy, hurried, and ?overzealous.? The New Hanover Sheriff?s SWAT team was even asked to participate in the ?extraordinarily dangerous? search at Peyton?s home.

In 2006, the UNCW police filed a search warrant application to search Peyton?s home in Wilmington. Peyton, a community college student, was one of the suspects in the beating and robbery case involving victim Justin Raines, a UNCW student. Two Playstation 3?s were reportedly stolen from Raines and police went to Peyton?s home to search for guns and one of the stolen video game systems.

According to New Hanover County Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Long, he thought he heard gunshots coming from inside the home. However, what he actually heard was the sound of a police battering ram. Long shot Peyton, who was unarmed. The teenager sustained bullet wounds to the brain and chest. He died from his injuries. Police also shot and killed Blaze, Peyton?s dog. The door to the teenager?s home reportedly wasn?t even locked when the raid happened.

The Strickland family contends that there were numerous errors in the complaint that caused deputies that went on the raid to think that their lives could be in danger. UNC police reportedly told the New Hanover deputies that Strickland was a gang member?information that his family disputes. The warrant also erroneously reported that two people had assaulted Raines. The UNCW student had told police he was attacked by one person.

In February, New Hanover County and its sheriff?s office reached a North Carolina wrongful death settlement with the Strickland family for $2.45 million.

Family of teen killed by deputy sues UNC-W, police, News-Record, October 31, 2008

Family sues UNCW in son's death, Trading Markets, November 1, 2008

Related Web Resources:

How raid went wrong and young suspect died, News and Observer, December 17, 2006

University of North Carolina Wilmington

University Police, UNCW

Full post as published by North Carolina Injury Lawyer Blog on November 02, 2008 (boomark / email).