Federal judge rejects second lawsuit over death during downtown riot

Indianapolis, Indiana – A second lawsuit concerning a fatality during the 2020 downtown riot against the city of Indianapolis and the IMPD has been dismissed by a federal judge.

The case brought by Dorian Murrell’s mother was rejected by Judge Tanya Walton Pratt on Monday.

Early on May 31, 2020, Murrell was shot and died close to Pennsylvania and Market streets.

Tyler Newby, the shooter, claimed he was acting in self-defense but was ultimately found guilty of reckless homicide.

According to Judge Pratt, the family did not present any proof that Murrell’s death was caused by the IMPD’s handling of the protest and unrest.

The lawsuit claimed “an excessive and unprepared response by IMPD to the protests” created the circumstances that led to the shooting.

“The Complaint is devoid of facts that any Defendant acted to create or enhance a danger Mr. Murrell otherwise would not have faced,” Judge Pratt ruled. “The fact that IMPD could have done more does not mean that it acted with deliberate indifference.”

Judge Pratt has rejected a wrongful death case relating to the downtown unrest twice already this month.

Last week, Judge Pratt dismissed a complaint brought by the family of Christopher Beaty, who was fatally shot while attempting to put an end to a robbery outside his home in the downtown area during the disturbance.