Federal Civil Rights Police Officer Related Shooting Wrongful Death 2,150,000.00 Settlement

On March 29, 2016, Bland Richter settled a Federal Court civil rights action involving a police officer related shooting resulting in death for the sum of $2,150,000.00 that garnered worldwide attention. On July 26, 2015, Zachary Hammond was shot and killed by Seneca, South Carolina police officer, Mark Tiller, in the parking lot of a Hardee’s restaurant while unarmed . Zach had driven to the restaurant with his date, Tori Morton. When it was suspected that Ms. Morton was going to make a drug transaction at the Hardee’s restaurant, the Seneca Police Department set up a sting operation in the parking lot. When Zachary attempted to leave the restaurant, Officer Tiller rushed toward the Hammond vehicle with his weapon drawn. After yelling “I will shoot your f***ing ass,” Tiller fired two shots into the open driver side window of the car, striking Zachary in the back and flank. Zachary died of his injuries at the scene. He was 19 years old and unarmed at the time of his death. Zachary’s death prompted changes by several police departments in connection with their use of excessive and deadly force policies and encouraged the South Carolina legislature to enact legislation regarding the use of body and audio cameras by officers and the release of dash cam videos. ( Spring, 2016 )