Aurora Police Shooting Lawsuit Filed by Family of Deceased Man
AURORA, CO – On Sunday, the family of 37-year-old Rajon Belt-Stubblefield filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Aurora and Officer Matthew Neely in U.S. District Court in Denver.
The lawsuit, which alleges excessive force and violations of federal civil rights, follows the fatal shooting of Belt-Stubblefield during a traffic stop on an unspecified date. Neely, who has been indicted on charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter, is accused of shooting Belt-Stubblefield multiple times, with claims that he “re-aimed” before delivering a fatal shot to the head while Belt-Stubblefield was unarmed.
According to the filing, Belt-Stubblefield's death reflects longstanding issues within the Aurora Police Department, including excessive force and racial bias. The complaint details previous public concerns and complaints regarding Neely's handling of traffic stops, specifically allegations of racial profiling over several years.
Despite the complaints against Neely, all were categorized as unfounded by department officials. The lawsuit outlines eight claims against the city and Neely, including violations of the Equal Protection Clause under the 14th Amendment and infliction of emotional distress on Belt-Stubblefield's family.
Aurora police spokesperson Kristopher McDowell stated that the department does not comment on pending litigation, while attorneys for Neely were unavailable for immediate response. The family seeks unspecified damages for loss of life, emotional distress, and grief.
This is a developing story and may be updated.