$2.5 Million Awarded In Car Theft Shooting

In August of 2008, the Brooklyn South Auto Larceny Squad spotted Ortanzso Bovell breaking into a Mustang GT at Resen Avenue and Lennox Road in East Flatbush.

Lt. John Chell and the rest of the auto theft squad moved in on the thief as he tried to speed off in the stolen car.

According to witnesses when Officer Chell pulled his weapon in an attempt to stop the suspect the officer was sideswiped and knocked to the ground causing his weapon to discharge.

The bullet ended up hitting the 25-year-old suspect in the back killing him.

Mr. Bovell's mother filed a wrongful death suit against the NYPD and ballistics proved that Officer Chell had fired his weapon while he was standing up.

After a five-week trial, the jury found in favor of Ms. Lorna Wright-Bovell and awarded her the 2.5 million dollar settlement. 

A city law department spokesperson said the jury voted with their emotions, not with the facts.

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Photo Credit: Getty Images


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