Civil Lawsuit Dismissed In Shooting Of COPS Crew Member

A civil lawsuit stemming from the tragic night nearly five years ago when a crew member of the TV show "Cops" was shot and killed in Omaha has been dismissed.

Bryce Dion was the soundman for the show. He was shot and killed during a police confrontation with a robbery suspect inside the Wendy’s restaurant at 43rd and Dodge in August of 2014.

Police caught up with Cortez Washington that night. Video from the television show showed several crew members follow officers into the restaurant to document the situation. Officers fired on Washington when he drew his weapon, killing him.

The judge's decision noted that Washington had, “pointed what appeared to be a black handgun toward the officers. Although it was later determined that the firearm was a pellet gun, the officers reasonably believed that it was a real firearm.”

Dion died after accidentally being hit by police gunfire. Dion’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Omaha and Langley Productions.

Douglas County District Judge James Masteller dismissed the civil lawsuit Thursday. In his decision, Mastellar pointed out said the officers did not accidentally or negligently fire their weapons and that their intent was not to hit Dion.

The officers testified that they did not see Dion in their line of fire and if they had, they would not have fired their weapons. One officer saw a Wendy's employee in his line of fire and repositioned.

The case was dismissed with prejudice which means it cannot be re-filed.


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