Suit filed in death of man shot by officer

The family of a man killed by a League City police officer during a disturbance call is suing the officer and the police department in federal court, claiming the man was suffering from a mental health episode at the time of the shooting.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Texas, alleges that Officer Patrick Bradshaw, a 13-year veteran, shot and killed Matthew Krupar, 31, without justification while Krupar was unarmed and in the midst of a mental health event. Bradshaw told investigators after the shooting that he shot Krupar because he believed he was “in a life and death struggle,” the suit claims.

The police account of the December 2019 shooting said Bradshaw responded to a disturbance call from a neighbor in the 6500 block of Turner Fields Lane about a man yelling in the street. Upon arrival, Bradshaw was approached by the woman who made the call. While they were talking, Krupar exited his parents’ home and confronted and assaulted Bradshaw, police said, prompting Bradshaw to fire his weapon.

Officers and members from League City EMS performed emergency medical assistance on Krupar, who was transported to HCA Clear Lake Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

In a news release, attorneys for the Krupar estate provided footage from a neighbor’s security camera showing the fatal shooting that they say “belies” the department’s version of events.

The footage shows Krupar yelling at Bradshaw and walking toward him. Krupar appears to lunge at Bradshaw, who fires four shots at him. Krupar collapses on the street.

Dax Garza, the lead attorney representing the Krupar estate, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

While Bradshaw was placed on administrative leave after the shooting per League City police department policy, the lawsuit claims he returned to full duty shortly afterward and was not disciplined.

A spokesperson for the League City Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit.

The Krupar estate is seeking monetary damages and punitive damages against Bradshaw, as well as a jury trial.