Armstrong, et al v. Scott, et al

On August 31, 2018, in Dayton, Ohio, Robert Armstrong was fatally shot by Officer James Scott during a response to a domestic disturbance call. The plaintiffs, including Mary Armstrong, alleged that Officer Scott used excessive force against an unarmed man in violation of his Fourth Amendment rights. The lawsuit, filed under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, sought damages for wrongful death and civil rights violations. The incident sparked protests and raised questions about police use of force protocols.

The court denied the officer's motion for summary judgment on qualified immunity grounds, allowing the excessive force claim to proceed. The case later settled for an undisclosed amount.

Whether Officer Scott’s use of deadly force was objectively reasonable under the circumstances, and whether he was entitled to qualified immunity.

The case fueled local debates on police reform and the need for de-escalation training, joining a national conversation on law enforcement accountability.