Louisiana to Pay $9M in Trooper Shooting Paralysis Case

Louisiana to Pay $9M in Trooper Shooting Paralysis Case

Introduction

Louisiana authorities have agreed to a $9 million settlement with a man who was partially paralyzed after being shot by a state trooper in 2018 during a Baton Rouge traffic stop.

The shooting left him confined to a wheelchair at just 19 years old. According to a person familiar with the case, who requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to speak publicly, the agreement was finalized last month and is among the largest settlements ever reached in the state for a police misconduct case.

False Taser Claim and Contradictory Reports

The incident initially came under scrutiny because the trooper falsely reported the shooting as a Taser discharge. Internal investigations later determined she had no valid justification for using her firearm, failed to activate her body camera, and gave conflicting explanations. Her shifting accounts included claiming she confused her gun for a Taser, suggesting the shot was accidental, and later arguing she feared for her life.

Plaintiff’s Account of the Night

The plaintiff, who was a passenger in the stopped vehicle, said he was never ordered to halt before being shot. After the bullet struck his spine, he told the officer he had lost feeling in his legs. “I was like, ‘What’s wrong with my legs?’” he recalled in a deposition. The trooper allegedly reassured him it was a “Taser aftereffect” that would soon fade. However, medical evidence confirmed a bullet had severed his spinal cord, causing permanent paralysis.

Surveillance Video Undermines Officer’s Story

The trooper’s version of events quickly unraveled. She told investigators the plaintiff had run around the car, reached inside, and charged toward her. Yet surveillance footage from a nearby store revealed a very different reality—the unarmed man was fleeing, not approaching. The plaintiff later reflected, “If that camera wasn’t there, I don’t know how this would’ve turned out.”

Mentioned in Federal Report on Excessive Force

This case was cited in a U.S. Justice Department report earlier this year, which concluded that Louisiana State Police engaged in a pattern of excessive force during arrests and vehicle pursuits. Federal officials pointed to the shooting as a stark example of systemic issues within the department’s practices.

Questions About Trooper’s Qualifications

Civil proceedings also raised serious concerns about whether the officer should ever have been commissioned as a state trooper. Records revealed multiple red flags during her training academy days, including poor test scores, difficulties on the firing range, and doubts expressed by instructors. Despite these shortcomings, the academy allowed her to graduate after requiring extra training. An internal report had noted that she “struggled from the onset of the class, both physically and mentally.”

Delayed Accountability Within the Department

Even after the shooting, the officer remained employed with Louisiana State Police for more than two years. This delay was attributed to a departmental policy of postponing internal reviews until criminal investigations were resolved, effectively shielding her from immediate disciplinary action. Eventually, she was fired after the agency determined the shooting was unjustified.

Settlement as a Call for Change

The plaintiff, represented by a former U.S. attorney and Louisiana congressman, said he hopes the case leads to meaningful reforms within the state police. “What happened to me that night will forever change my life,” he testified. His attorney emphasized that the settlement should serve as both accountability and a push for systemic change to prevent similar tragedies.

Silent Responses From Officials

Attorneys representing the officer, along with the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, declined to comment on the settlement. While the financial agreement brings closure to the lawsuit, it continues to highlight longstanding concerns about oversight, training, and accountability within the Louisiana State Police.