OKC cop sued over deadly shooting
An Oklahoma City police officer is being sued by the parents of a man he fatally shot while on-duty last year.
The excessive force lawsuit, filed Friday in Oklahoma County District Court, alleges Sgt. Keith Patrick Sweeney unjustly shot the unarmed, suicidal man early Nov. 15.
After the shooting, prosecutors charged Sweeney, 33, with second-degree murder in the death of Dustin Pigeon, 29. Prosecutors allege the shooting was unreasonable and unjustified.
The lawsuit states Sweeney launched a clothing line in 2016. The clothing and accessories celebrate “violence and guns,” according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit also alleges Sweeney has posted “white supremacy sentiments” on social media. In part, the lawsuit alleges Pigeon’s “Native American” race motivated Sweeney’s decision to use excessive force.
Pigeon’s parents, Boston and Aronda Pigeon, are suing Sweeney, Oklahoma City, the police department and Police Chief Bill Citty for monetary damages.
Officers responded to a housing complex in southwest Oklahoma City on Nov. 15 and found Pigeon holding a bottle of lighter fluid and a lighter, threatening to set himself on fire, police reported.
The first two responding officers approached Pigeon and attempted to de-escalate the situation, according to prosecutors. Sweeney then approached Pigeon with his gun drawn, prosecutors said.
Immediately after one of the first officers struck Pigeon in the hip with one round from a bean bag shotgun, Sweeney shot Pigeon five times with his 9 mm pistol, according to prosecutors. Pigeon died at the scene, police reported.
Sweeney has been on leave since the shooting. He maintains his innocence. He thought Pigeon had a knife and believed his life was in danger, according to his defense attorney.
A preliminary hearing in Sweeney’s murder case is set for Aug. 17.