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Spotsylvania County, Virginia, along with a deputy and sheriff in the area, are facing a $26.35 million federal lawsuit in connection to the shooting of Isiah Brown.  

In April, the 32-year-old was shot by Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Deputy David Matthew Turbyfill. In April, Turbyfill gave Brown a ride home and later returned to the residence to respond to a “domestic incident.” According to Brown’s attorney David Haynes, the deputy mistook the phone in Brown’s hand as a gun and he was shot while on the phone with a 911 dispatcher.   

RELATED: Phone Mistaken for Gun in Shooting of Isiah Brown, Attorney Says 

According to CNN, the lawsuit alleges “prior to using lethal force, Deputy Turbyfill had a reasonable opportunity to warn Mr. Brown that he was about to use lethal force against Mr. Brown.” It also alleges both the deputy and sheriff were responsible for battery, gross negligence and excessive force, which led to Brown being shot and injured while unarmed.  

The lawsuit states Brown’s injuries were severe, resulting in him being hospitalized for weeks, undergoing multiple surgeries, pain and needing to wear a colostomy bag.  

In July, Turbyfill was indicted on a felony charge of reckless handling of a firearm resulting in serious injury. He was then placed on administrative leave.  

Haynes said the shooting has changed his client’s life. “The shooting resulted in significant injuries to Mr. Brown, which will undoubtedly impact him for the rest of his life,” Haynes said. “Isiah Brown’s life was shattered and changed forever when he crossed paths with David Turbyfill.” 

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