Ryan L. Stokes

Deadly force

Officers responding to a report of theft encountered Ryan L. Stokes in a parking garage. Stokes reportedly opened a car door, closed it then quickly turned toward a police officer approaching him on foot. The officer believed Stokes was armed and fired three shots, hitting Stokes in the back twice. An investigation found that Stokes was unarmed, but the officer was cleared of all criminal and civil charges. Stokes's family is still pursuing a federal wrongful death suit.