Nearly a year after Andrew Washington was shot and killed by Jersey City police during a mental health episode, Washington’s family is suing Jersey City, Hudson County, Jersey City Medical Center, RWJBarnabas Health and 11 officers and EMTs.
Washington’s family, who called a mental health hotline for help last August, alleges that the Jersey City Police Department failed to de-escalate the situation. Despite Washington’s pleas for the police to leave, video from police body cameras shows officers knocking down his door, and when Washington stepped toward police holding a knife, he was shot and tased. He died later that day.
“There was no reason for them to break down the door when they did. And it violated basic principles of de-escalation,” said Amelia Green, lead counsel for the Washington family. “They should have waited; they should have called a mental health professional.”
Jersey City leaders declined to comment, saying they do not comment on pending litigation.
