Bystander Paralyzed After Being Mistaken for Gunman

Mark Trujillo was critically injured when police in Chandler, Arizona, mistook him for a suspect and opened fire. Responding to a call about an armed man, officers on one end of the street engaged the target while officers on the other end, unaware the suspect was down, fired and hit Trujillo. He was attempting to warn them his family was inside their home.

Trujillo sustained a severed spine and will never walk again. His children and wife witnessed the event. This case is one of many across the country, with CBS News identifying over 50 instances since 2015 where innocent bystanders were shot by police. Law enforcement watchdogs believe the actual number may be higher, as no federal organization officially tracks these incidents.

Families affected by such shootings often face significant medical and funeral expenses with limited avenues for financial assistance. Trujillo has filed a $50 million lawsuit against the Chandler Police Department and city, alleging negligence. However, such lawsuits often face challenges due to qualified immunity, which can protect government employees from civil liability.

Attorneys for the city argue the officers were performing their duties. The Fraternal Order of Police advocates for qualified immunity to be codified in law, citing the need for officers to perform their jobs without fear of lawsuits. Separately, a California family was unable to seek recourse after the LAPD was found not liable in the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old girl.