MADISON, WI (WSAU) The City of Madison is no longer a defendant in a federal civil rights lawsuit brought on by the mother of a black teen shot and killed by a local police officer in 2015. A federal judge ruled yesterday that the suit presented no evidence that shows city practices or procedures led to Tony Robinson’s death.
The 19-year-old was shot and killed by Officer Matt Kenny as the two struggled in an apartment building on Williamson Street. Friends had called 9-1-1 fearing for Robinson’s safety, saying he was yelling at people and running in and out of traffic. An autopsy showed that Robinson had Xanax, mushrooms and marijuana in his system at the time of his death.
Robinson fled to an apartment where he was shot and killed. Officer Kenny claimed that Robinson refused an order to surrender and charged at him. The Dane County DA reviewed the case and decided no criminal charges would be filed against Officer Kenny. Robinson was shot seven times in the head and chest.
A federal court jury will decide later this month if Kenny violated Robinson’s civil rights by acting improperly in the confrontation.
The MetroSource news wire contributed to this report.
