A graphic picture of the injury is included at the bottom of this story. Please read at your own discretion.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — An injured protester has filed a lawsuit against Louisville Metro Government and two unnamed Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) officers.
What You Need To Know
- Protester files federal lawsuit against city, police officers following injury
- Shannyn White struck in the face by object May 29
- White's attorney says her first, fourth, and fourteenth amendments were violated
Shannyn White, 24, of Louisville suffered a severe injury to the face when she was struck by an object on the evening of May 29. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, claims a Louisville police officer fired a rubber bullet without warning, striking White in the head. Photos taken from White's hospital bed show a deep gash to her forehead and swelling to her eyes and face.
“I don’t remember, like a lot of what happened. I just remember falling to the ground and everybody screaming ... and realizing they were talking about me," White told reporters Wednesday.
Attorney Ashlea Hellmann says LMPD officers violated Whites’ first, fourth, and fourteenth amendments when using force against peaceful protesters May 29.
“We are seeking to hold LMPD accountable for the behavior they have exhibited against peaceful protesters that have been downtown, and second, we are looking to recovery for Ms. White, who has sustained permanent physical disfigurement from the horrible injury she has received," said Hellerman.
Hellerman produced an object she believes to be the remnants of the rubber bullet that struck White, but she has yet to independently confirm it is equipment used by LMPD.
“No officers ever got on the bullhorn to announce a dispersal order, an unlawful assembly order, a warning that shots were going to be fired. They virtually remained silent," Hellmann said.
White and her attorneys are seeking punitive and compensatory damages for her injuries, hospital fees, and ongoing pain and suffering.
Immediately after being hit, White recalls, “And just thinking, I don’t know what’s going to happen from here, I don’t know how bad an injury this is. I don’t know if I’m going to make it out of this. It was very disorienting and scary.”
According to the lawsuit, attorneys for White will need to prove a commanding officer gave orders to engage with protesters in violation of police policy or that existing policy is, in fact, unconstitutional, or that LMPD was negligent in training and supervising during protest response. An LMPD spokesperson told Spectrum News 1 the department would not comment on an ongoing investigation.
