Little Rock settles suit with family of man fatally shot by off-duty officers

Signs of the shooting that ended Eugene Ellison’s life litter the floor of his apartment on Dec. 9, 2010. Off-duty Little Rock police officer Donna Lesher shot the 67-year-old after a struggle in which she and detective Tabitha McCrillis couldn’t subdue him when he became enraged at their presence in his home.
Signs of the shooting that ended Eugene Ellison’s life litter the floor of his apartment on Dec. 9, 2010. Off-duty Little Rock police officer Donna Lesher shot the 67-year-old after a struggle in which she and detective Tabitha McCrillis couldn’t subdue him when he became enraged at their presence in his home.

LITTLE ROCK — Little Rock has agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by the family of a 67-year-old black man who was fatally shot in 2010 after two off-duty police officers entered his apartment without a warrant.

City Attorney Tom Carpenter told The Associated Press that the city settled the lawsuit Friday. Trial was set to begin Monday.

In a joint statement Friday afternoon, City Manager Bruce T. Moore and Attorney Tom Carpenter said: "Because of the possibility of continued litigation in the court system, all parties decided this resolution was in the best interests of everyone involved."

Eugene Ellison died Dec. 9, 2010. His family, including a son who is currently a Little Rock police officer, filed a lawsuit alleging that officers Donna Lesher and Tabitha McCrillis, who are both white, unlawfully entered his home, and that Lesher improperly used deadly force.

Moore and Carpenter added that there is "no doubt that this incident is a tragedy that has deeply affected many in our city."

"Today’s agreement allows the community, the families, and the Little Rock Police Department to move forward and begin to heal," the city's statement read in part.

Carpenter said the settlement includes about $900,000, a memorial bench and an apology letter that doesn't admit liability.

An attorney for Ellison's family didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.

Read Saturday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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