Ashtabula Man Shot by Police Survives and Wins Settlement for Unlawful Shooting
Brendan Hester was shot by City of Ashtabula police officer after Hester's family called 911 to report an intruder in their home. He survived to tell his story and to seek justice for the unlawful shooting.
Background
Brendan Hester, just 23 years old, was shot by City of Ashtabula police officer Daniel Gillespie when Gillespie and fellow Ashtabula officer Spencer Gale arrived at Brendan's home in the early morning hours of June 2, 2017. Gillespie and Gale were responding to a 911 call from Brendan’s brother’s girlfriend, who reported an intruder in the home.
Brendan was shot in his own house, where he lived with his brother, his brother’s girlfriend, and their daughter, while protecting the family from the home intruder.
After the shooting, Brendan remained in the hospital in critical condition for months, and remains disabled today due to gunshot wounds inflicted by Gillespie. This shooting was yet another damning example of racism in policing and use of force.
Approach & Resolution
Brendan Hester filed a civil rights lawsuit to seek justice and accountability for this unjustified and tragic shooting, which changed his life forever.
The case was settled in 2019.