Costco shooting victim’s family drops lawsuit against Las Vegas police

originally by: ReviewJournal.com
published: 13th March 2012

Family members of Erik Scott, who was shot and killed by officers outside a Costco store in 2010, dropped their lawsuit against the Metropolitan Police Department on Tuesday, ending one of the most controversial chapters in the agency’s history.

The lawsuit wasn’t strong enough to withstand the appeals process, family members said.

“It’s not the slam-dunk case that everybody thought it was when we started,” said Bill Scott, Erik Scott’s father. “If there was a different appeals court involved, I think we could have pressed ahead.”

The family also was going up against stiff resistance from Las Vegas police. Sheriff Doug Gillespie said Tuesday that he would not settle the case.

“No matter how you look at it, the Scott family lost a loved one,” he said. “I, as a sheriff, understand that the best I can. But I also have to support the process and support our officers when they make appropriate decisions.”

The news surprised Chris Collins, executive director of the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, which represents roughly 2,800 officers, including the three officers involved in Scott’s shooting.

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