Local Jury Rules in Favor of Four Officers in Civil Rights Lawsuit

A United States District Court jury exonerated four Las Cruces Police Department officers who were defendants in a federal civil rights lawsuit stemming from a March 2021 vehicle pursuit and shooting involving a 25-year-old man.

Jonathan Lamar Strickland, 25 at the time of the 2021 shooting, filed the federal lawsuit against the four officers claiming they violated his Fourth Amendment rights by discharging multiple rounds into his pickup after he attempted to flee from police. Strickland sought $25 million in compensatory damages and asked for the jury to consider an additional $75 million in punitive damages.

As a result of the jury’s verdict, he will receive nothing.

The jury, composed of five women and three men, unanimously ruled in favor of the LCPD officers at the conclusion of the trial held at the U.S. District Court in Las Cruces, finding that the officers did not use excessive force during the incident on March 11, 2021. Closing arguments were delivered on the afternoon of Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, and the jury began deliberating shortly thereafter.

The jury delivered its verdict on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

“The City is gratified by this outcome, which recognizes the challenging and split-second decisions law enforcement officers must make to ensure public safety,” said Brad Douglas, the City Attorney. “We remain committed to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in our policing practices.”

“We are grateful to the jury for their careful consideration and decision, which affirms the professionalism of our officers,” said Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story. “Our officers are well-trained public servants who are routinely called upon to make difficult decisions in rapidly evolving situations.”

During the March 11, 2021 incident, Strickland was struck by seven gunshots that proved to be non-life threatening.

The shooting was the culmination of what police believe was a violent domestic dispute Strickland had with his then wife. Over a two-day period, Strickland is alleged to have placed a handgun to his wife’s head while she held their young son, held her against her will, struck her multiple times, strangled her and tried to force the barrel of his gun into her mouth while threatening to kill her.

On March 11, 2021, the woman drove to LCPD headquarters to report her complaint. While she was speaking with officers, Strickland arrived at LCPD and parked his Toyota Tacoma next to his wife’s vehicle in the visitor’s lot. Strickland, whose wife told police he had access to multiple firearms, remained in the parking lot while officers developed a plan to safely take him into custody.

Before that could happen, Strickland drove away, fled from police, and led officers on a short pursuit. Police conducted a PIT—a Pursuit Intervention Technique- maneuver that brought his vehicle to a stop near the intersection of Campo Street and Hadley Avenue. Officers opened fire when Strickland used his hands to mimic a handgun aimed in their direction. In subsequent interviews with police, Strickland acknowledged his actions and indicated he wanted to provoke the officers into shooting.

The officers were represented by outside counsel on contract with the City, attorneys Luis Robles and Heath Skroch, and Las Cruces City Attorney Brad Douglas.

Strickland was represented by attorneys DeWitt Lacy of Beverly Hills, Calif., and Shannon Kennedy of Albuquerque.

The City of Las Cruces respects the judicial process and appreciates the jury’s careful consideration of the facts presented during the trial. The verdict affirms the professionalism and dedication of Las Cruces Police Department officers in protecting the community while upholding constitutional rights.