Family of slain South Bend man set to file lawsuit against city, police officer

SOUTH BEND, Ind. —- The family of a man killed by a South Bend police officer is set to file a Federal Civil Rights lawsuit on Monday, according to the family’s attorney. 

Eric Logan died on Sunday after being shot by South Bend Police Sergeant Ryan O’Neil, according to the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office. The family has hired Chicago-based attorney Brian Coffman to represent them. 

ABC 57 News’ Kylie Walker spoke with Coffman over the phone on Wednesday. He said, through the lawsuit, the family is looking to:

Seek subpoena power, in order to preserve the evidence. Coffman said they hope to subpoena any evidence collected by Metro Homicide, including any videos of the incident. 

Share their ‘serious questions’ about what happened to Logan on June 16. The family’s attorney said there is no reason to wait until the investigation is over. 

Reveal that Logan’s civil rights were violated. According to Coffman, Sgt. Ryan O’Neill violated Logan’s 4th and 14th amendments. 

Coffman said by using legal precedent, he will argue the local government has a ‘practice of depriving people of their civil rights.’ 

The family’s attorney wrote in an e-mail that the lawsuit will initially be against O’Neill and the City of South Bend. At this time, the family is seeking an undisclosed amount of compensation for the loss of Logan’s life, Logan’s suffering, and the family’s pain and suffering. 

A spokesperson for the family previously stated that the lawsuit would be filed on Friday, June 21. 

The paperwork was filed on Friday and the family hopes to file the lawsuit on Monday, June 24.