A Detroit family is taking a city police officer to court after a backyard party erupted in gunfire and left 19-year-old Rain Williams with a gunshot wound to the head and life-altering disabilities, relatives say. The civil suit, filed in Wayne County Circuit Court, accuses the officer of gross negligence and seeks money for Williams' mounting medical bills and other losses. Family members say she suffered a stroke after the shooting that initially left her unable to move or speak, and that she has slowly regained some movement and limited speech.
As detailed by The Detroit News, the complaint, filed March 20 in Wayne County Circuit Court, states that Detroit Police Officer Verona Shaw tripped on concrete steps while walking toward a crowded backyard on the 16500 block of Trinity Street and then fired multiple rounds into the group. The suit alleges Shaw fired four shots while falling and another from her knees, hitting a man who was holding a gun, as well as Williams and a 23-year-old woman. Investigators later collected 93 shell casings at the scene, five of which were fired by Shaw, the outlet reports.
Family's plea in video
Family members and the family's attorney spoke about Williams' injuries and their decision to sue in a video posted by FOX 2 Detroit yesterday. In the clip, relatives say Williams was shot in the head and has needed constant care since the party, and they describe the officer's actions as reckless. The family's lawyer says the lawsuit is an effort to secure long-term medical support for Williams while also holding the police department accountable for what happened in that backyard.
Police response and court schedule
According to The Detroit News, Detroit police told investigators that Shaw ordered an armed suspect to drop a gun before any shots were fired. After the June 1, 2024, incident, the department placed Shaw on "no gun" administrative duty, then later allowed her to return to work. Department spokespeople declined to comment on the civil lawsuit. Court filings show a status conference is set for next Monday to establish a case schedule and handle discovery issues.
What to watch next
The upcoming court proceedings will likely determine if body-camera footage, witness statements, and internal police reports become part of the public record in the civil case. Under state law, the plaintiffs must prove gross negligence to win damages, and what surfaces in discovery often shapes whether a case settles quietly or heads to trial. Community advocates say the lawsuit is about more than one party gone horribly wrong, arguing it raises broader questions about police training and use-of-force decisions in chaotic, crowded situations.
