A federal lawsuit has been filed against a Portland police officer, alleging the unlawful killing of an unarmed Black man, Immanueal “Manny” Clark, who was shot in the back while fleeing from officers. The incident took place during the early hours of November 19, 2022, according to reports by KOIN.
The lawsuit maintains that Clark was in a car mistaken by officers for one used in an attempted armed robbery, despite dispatchers indicating the suspects were white men. After being fired upon with a semi-automatic rifle, Clark was reportedly left to bleed without medical care for 26 minutes before help arrived, eventually succumbing to his injuries at a hospital, as stated by ABC News.
The legal action levels grave accusations against the officer and the city of Portland, citing excessive force, wrongful death, and negligence. It is argued that a tragic and fatal error in the officer's judgement has led to unnecessary loss of life, with Clark's shooting creating ripples through the community that calls for justice and accountability.
While the lawsuit stirs controversy and heartache, the Portland Police Bureau and City Hall have refrained from commenting on the pending litigation. According to the lawsuit as mentioned by U.S. News & World Report, efforts to seek responses have been met with silence, highlighting the litigation's unresolved and tense nature within the community and legal spheres.
