In a deeply troubling case from Georgia, USA, the family of a 5-year-old girl has filed a federal lawsuit after she was shot and injured during a police chase at a gas station. The lawsuit accuses the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and former Deputy Thomas Samples of reckless behavior and a history of misconduct.
How the Shooting Happened
The incident took place on June 23, 2024, during a high-speed police chase involving a suspect named Rashauny Mike Palmer, age 25. Palmer had escaped custody in Douglas County and led police on a chase into Fulton County, finally crashing his vehicle near a BP gas station on Fulton Industrial Boulevard.
After the crash, Palmer—who was unarmed—ran into the gas station and jumped into the backseat of a BMW. The car was occupied by Aaliyah Adams, her husband, and their 5-year-old daughter, Skylar.
That’s when Deputy Samples opened fire, hitting Skylar in the upper right arm.
Girl Survives, But Family Demands Accountability
Skylar’s injuries were thankfully not life-threatening, but the family says the trauma is long-lasting. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, along with Bakari Sellers and Mario Pacella, are representing the family.
Crump said,
“This little girl is lucky to be alive. Officers like this must be held accountable, as well as the departments that hire and protect them.”
An investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is ongoing. Early findings suggest Skylar may have been hit by a ricocheted bullet fragment, but the lawsuit claims the deputy’s decision to fire near gas pumps and into a car without checking for civilians was highly dangerous and irresponsible.
Lawsuit Highlights Deputy’s Troubled History
The lawsuit says this was not an isolated mistake. It outlines a series of prior incidents involving Deputy Samples:
- Charged in a 2022 road rage case for pointing a gun at a woman
- Tased and arrested someone in their home in March 2024 without confirming a crime
- Suspended later that same month for a high-speed chase at 129 mph, running a red light
- Removed from the SWAT Emergency Response Team in June 2024 for failing a basic firearms test
The lawsuit argues that the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office ignored red flags, hired Samples anyway, and allowed him to continue working despite multiple warnings.
Bakari Sellers said:
“This is a failure at every level. He had no business being in law enforcement.”
Legal Demands and Next Steps
The family is demanding a jury trial, compensatory damages, and punitive damages. The lawsuit also claims the Sheriff’s Office was negligent in both hiring and retaining Samples.
Attorney Mario Pacella said,
“This is not a one-time accident. This is a dangerous pattern. Allowing him to wear a badge put everyone at risk.”
So far, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has declined to comment, citing the ongoing legal proceedings.