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Police Shootings: Family of Biracial Teen Sues City of Madison, Police Officer

Madison Police Department

The family of Tony Robinson, Jr. has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Madison. Robinson is the biracial 19-year-old who was killed by Officer Matt Kenny in March. Robinson was not armed.

Kenny encountered Robinson after responding to a call that Robinson had assaulted two people and was running in the street. Witnesses reported that Robinson was on drugs at the time. Kenny says he shot Robinson after the 19-year-old attacked him.

Investigators cleared Kenny of any wrongdoing in the incident. But attorneys for Robinson’s family say police audio and videotape show Robinson “posed no immediate threat to the officer or other civilians.” The attorneys say the officer “killed Tony without any lawful justification.”

The family’s lawsuit says Kenny’s conduct violated Robinson’s constitutional rights.

A deputy attorney for the City of Madison told the Associated Press that she had not yet seen the lawsuit. The attorney says the City will mount a vigorous defense.

Ann-Elise is WUWM's news director.
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