Randolph Scott Jr.

How they died

Deadly force

Ranger Joshua Updegraff shot Randolph Scott Jr. several times after Updegraff was allegedly dragged by Scott's car door near the Gateway Arch. Scott's family contended that Scott was watching the flooded Mississippi River with others at about 5:35 a.m. Updegraff claimed he was responding to yelling he heard while at the ranger station inside the parking garage. Updegraff said he fired his Taser when he feared Scott was trying to get a weapon from his car and continued using the Taser as Scott struggled. Updegraff claimed he tried unsuccessfully to handcuff Scott while Scott's friends jeered. Scott allegedly got to his car and told Updegraff he was going to run him over. Updegraff said he fired as many shots as he could, and alleged that Scott dragged him about 100 feet. Scott's family said Updegraff improperly used force, had a history of incidents involving force and was not properly trained or supervised. Updegraff was transferred to Yellowstone National Park effective July 13, 2008. In 2013, the federal government agreed to pay $520,000 to settle a lawsuit with Scott's relatives.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Randolph Scott Jr., and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources