North Carolina Dismisses Police Shooting Lawsuit
Written by Black Hot Fire Network Team on January 5, 2026
Jada Elizabeth Johnson’s 6-year-old daughter is thriving in kindergarten, demonstrating a remarkable ability to learn and achieving high marks reminiscent of her mother. Despite this progress, the child experiences anxiety, particularly at bedtime, haunted by nightmares related to the events of July 1, 2022, when her mother was fatally shot by a Fayetteville, North Carolina, police officer. The family is preparing to appeal a recent federal court decision that dismissed their lawsuit alleging excessive force, wrongful death, and emotional distress.
The lawsuit, stemming from the death of Johnson, 22, highlights the risks faced by Black communities when mental health crises intersect with policing. The family is disappointed by the ruling, which cited qualified immunity, a legal doctrine that shields law enforcement officers from liability for misconduct while on duty.
The Legal Proceedings and Recent Ruling
Johnson’s family intends to appeal the ruling to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, prioritizing the sealing of records to protect their great-granddaughter. The judge’s decision came months after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the “moment-of-threat” standard, which previously allowed officers to justify force based on perceived danger. The new directive instructs courts to consider the entire sequence of events leading up to an incident.
U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle ruled that Officer Zacharius Borom was justified in using lethal force because he reasonably believed Johnson, who was armed, posed an immediate threat to Sgt. Timothy Rugg. The ruling relied heavily on body camera footage and did not consider Johnson’s autopsy report. The lawsuit was previously overseen by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III, who reassigned the case to Boyle to balance workload.
The Shooting and Family’s Account
Iwanski, Johnson’s great-grandfather, witnessed her death. The family maintains that officers failed to call the department’s Crisis Intervention Team, which provides specialized mental health training. Johnson had previously reported an attempted break-in by her abusive ex-boyfriend, triggering heightened anxiety and distrust toward law enforcement.
According to the family’s account, officers arrested Johnson for allegedly misusing 911. As emergency responders delayed, Johnson’s anxiety escalated. She drew a gun and allegedly threatened suicide. During a struggle to disarm her, Iwanski says he was knocked to the ground and witnessed Borom fire multiple shots. He disputes the officers’ narrative and questions the judge’s reliance on an older legal doctrine.
The judge’s decision states that Borom fired additional shots as Johnson’s hand moved near the gun and a final shot after Rugg secured it. Johnson’s body remained at the scene for over 11 hours. The judge’s ruling also references an internal affairs investigation revealing an unspent round in Borom’s firearm, which Iwanski finds indicative of a lack of restraint.
Broader Context and Officer Status
Johnson was one of 185 Black women killed in encounters with law enforcement since 2013, and one of 102 cases where the officer involved faced no criminal charges. Fayetteville City Council recently approved a budget for an Office of Community Safety, aiming to provide civilian assistance for mental health calls and reduce the risk of violent interactions.
Officer Borom remains on active duty. Judge Boyle has faced scrutiny from the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals for procedural errors in another sentencing case. The judge’s decision in Johnson’s case did not cite the recent Supreme Court precedent in Barnes v. Felix or include information from Johnson’s autopsy.
