Dylan Noble Wrongful Death Case: Body Camera Footage Released

Police in Fresno have released a video from body camera footage that shows the shooting of 19-year-old Dylan Noble, which also shows that the teen was unarmed at the time. Noble’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Fresno for damages alleging that Noble was killed with an “inexcusable use of excessive force.” They say the bodycam footage proves that point with alarming certainty. But police say the footage also shows that Noble ignored repeated orders to show his hands and lie down. The incident occurred at a Chevron garage in Fresno on June 25.

What the Video Shows

In the footage, police can be seen pulling Noble over while he rides his truck after being called to reports that he had a rifle. Cops can be seen already aiming their handguns at Noble as he pulls into a gas station. Police then order Noble to put both hands out the window. As police move toward the vehicle, Noble goes to climb out of the vehicle, but is warned by officers not to get out.

Noble eventually gets out of the car without being ordered to and begins to pace around the garage as cops order him to get down. Police then fired two rounds at Noble who was hit once in the stomach and twice again as he lay on the ground, wounded. Officers said Noble made a statement about “hating my life” before he reached for his waistband, which is what, they say, caused them to open fire.

Wrongful Death Lawsuit

The deadly shooting is under investigation by the FBI, Fresno County District Attorney’s Office and the Fresno Police Department’s Internal Affairs division. The officers have been put on paid administrative leave. Noble’s mother, Veronica Nelson, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Fresno. A wrongful death lawsuit is filed in civil court and is defined by the law as “a cause of action for the death of a person caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another.”

A wrongful death lawsuit is different from a criminal murder case in several ways. In a criminal case, the defendant is punished if found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In a wrongful death case, the defendant, could be found liable for the death and ordered to pay monetary damages to the decedent’s family members. Wrongful death claims are often a way for individuals to seek justice for the deaths of their loved ones and right a wrong. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Noble family as they go through these tough times and we hope the truth eventually comes out and justice is served.