Supreme Court allows lawsuit over fatal 2016 traffic stop

The Supreme Court has unanimously revived a civil rights lawsuit against a Harris County Precinct 5 Deputy Constable regarding a fatal shooting during a traffic stop. The justices instructed the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to re-examine the case.

The Shooting of Ashtian Barnes

In April 2016, Deputy Constable Roberto Felix Jr. fatally shot Ashtian Barnes, who was driving a rental car on the shoulder of the Sam Houston Tollway in Houston. Felix fired twice in two seconds, stating he “reasonably feared for his life” as Barnes’ car began to pull away from the stop. The traffic stop was initiated due to a radio message indicating unpaid tolls associated with the vehicle’s license plate. Barnes was unaware of the outstanding tolls as the car had been rented by his girlfriend.

Supreme Court Ruling

Lower courts had previously dismissed the lawsuit filed by Barnes’ mother, Janice Hughes, arguing that the courts improperly assessed Felix’s actions solely at the “moment of the threat.” Justice Elena Kagan, writing for the court, stated that courts should consider the “totality of the circumstances” when evaluating such suits. Legal experts note that the Supreme Court’s decision to hear the case is exceptionally rare, with a grant rate of approximately 1%.

Legal Proceedings

The case involves a civil rights lawsuit against Deputy Felix stemming from the shooting of Barnes. Barnes was en route to pick up his girlfriend’s daughter from daycare when he was stopped by Felix. The legal dispute centers on the standard used to evaluate the use of force by law enforcement officers.