Judge Dismisses Family's Case After N.C. Mom Killed by 17 Police Bullets

Jada Elizabeth Johnsons 6-year-old daughter is thriving in kindergarten, quickly learning and earning top grades that remind her family of her late mother. Yet, as her great-grandfather Rick Iwanski explained, the young girl struggles with anxiety, especially at night, when memories of July 1, 2022, resurfacethe day she witnessed a police officer fire 17 rounds, killing her mother.

Just days before Thanksgiving, Johnsons family experienced another setback when a federal judge dismissed their lawsuit claiming excessive force, wrongful death, and emotional distress. Johnson, 22, was shot in her grandfathers living room by Fayetteville, North Carolina officer Zacharius Borom over three years ago. No criminal charges were filed against the officer.

This case underscores the ongoing dangers faced by Black communities when mental health crises intersect with law enforcement. Iwanski expressed his frustration following U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyles November 25 ruling, which granted Borom qualified immunity, shielding him and other officers involved from personal liability for their split-second judgments during the incident.

Im upset, but determined to move forward, Iwanski said. He plans to meet with his attorneys to explore potential next steps, including the possibility of refiling the lawsuit to challenge the handling of Johnsons case by all responding officers.

Judge Boyles decision came months after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the moment-of-threat standard, which had allowed officers to justify deadly force based solely on an immediate perception of danger. The new guidance requires courts to review the full sequence of events leading up to shootings, including ongoing cases like Johnsons.

Boyle ruled that the officers reasonably perceived Johnson, who was armed, as an immediate threat to responding Sgt. Timothy Rugg, and therefore Boroms use of lethal force did not violate civil rights. The ruling relied heavily on body camera footage from the officers.

Iwanski criticized the judge for not considering the updated legal standard. They must examine the full context now, not just the officers perception, he said.

The lawsuit, initially managed by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III, was transferred to Boyle in August, and exactly three months later, it was dismissed. Court staff confirmed the reassignment was to balance workload, not due to Devers retirement.

Johnsons death is one of 185 instances since 2013 in which Black women were killed in police encounters, and among 102 cases where officers faced no criminal charges. Many involved individuals exhibiting signs of mental illness. In Johnsons case, officers did not summon the departments Crisis Intervention Team, which specializes in mental health crises. In June, the Fayetteville City Council approved a $2.04 million budget for a civilian-led Office of Community Safety to respond to mental health emergencies and reduce violent encounters with law enforcement.

On the night of July 1, 2022, Iwanski and his wife Maria tried to protect their great-granddaughter as Johnson repeatedly called 911 in crisis. Days earlier, she had reported an attempted break-in by her abusive ex-boyfriend, heightening her distrust and anxiety toward responding officers. The family argued that officers exceeded their authority by not calling mental health-trained personnel.

According to the lawsuit, as officers tried to persuade Johnson to seek treatment, her distress escalated. She drew a gun, refused to relinquish it, and allegedly threatened suicide. During the struggle, Borom fired 17 rounds, ultimately killing Johnson before 10 p.m.

Boyle stated that the initial shots did not prevent Johnson from reaching for the weapon, justifying the continued use of force within seconds needed for Sgt. Rugg to secure the gun. The ruling did not reference the Supreme Courts decision in Barnes v. Felix, which invalidated the moment-of-threat defense for qualified immunity in deadly force cases.

Officer Borom remains on active duty. Johnsons family continues to pursue justice and highlight the ongoing challenges faced by Black communities during police interactions involving mental health crises.

Analysis: The Continuing Struggle for Justice and Mental Health Awareness

The case of Jada Elizabeth Johnson highlights both the personal tragedy of a family and the systemic challenges in policing mental health crises. While her young daughter excels academically, the psychological trauma from witnessing her mother’s death remains severe, manifesting in anxiety and sleeplessness.

The recent dismissal of the family’s lawsuit by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle underscores the difficulty of holding law enforcement accountable under qualified immunity. Despite a shift in Supreme Court guidance requiring full contextual review of police actions, the court ruled that officers reasonably perceived Johnson as an immediate threat, relying heavily on body camera footage rather than updated legal standards.

This incident reflects broader patterns: Black women with mental health crises are disproportionately affected by fatal police encounters, and preventive measures like Crisis Intervention Teams were not deployed. Local efforts, including Fayetteville’s new Office of Community Safety, represent steps toward reducing lethal interactions, but the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen.

Johnson’s family continues to seek justice, illustrating both the limits of current legal protections and the urgent need for systemic reform in handling crises involving mental health. The case emphasizes the tension between legal precedent, evolving standards, and the lived experiences of communities most impacted by policing practices.

Sources:

• After 17 Police Bullets Killed This N.C. Mom, a Judge Has Dismissed Her Family’s Case