Father of shooting victim near Hiouchi plans civil suit against Del Norte S.O.
From our weekly issue dated June 4, 2008
In the wake of the shooting death of an unarmed man from Brookings, his family plans a civil suit against Del Norte Sheriff’s Office (DNSO) charging wrongful death and police brutality.
Eric Stuart Allen Jones, 27, died of injuries from two shots fired by Deputy Ramsey Williamson on the Hwy. 199 Hiouchi Bridge over Smith River on May 16 after a pursuit.
“We believe that Eric was murdered,” said Brian Claypoole, a Los Angeles attorney retained by the dead man’s family. “Eric is black and there may have been some racial overtones in the shooting,” Claypoole said.
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DNSO deputies at the scene said that Jones ordered one of his two dogs to attack them. Both dogs were shot by officers; one of the canines died at the scene, as did Jones.
Officers had pursued Jones for reckless driving and failure to stop. The victim suffered from a bipolar condition and might have been having a manic episode at the time of the shooting, said his family and friends.
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Officers said that besides ordering a dog to attack, Jones came at them. He was shot in his abdomen and in one shoulder.
“It’s rogue police behavior,” said Claypoole.
