The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on Wednesday in the case of Barnes v. Felix, which addresses the standard by which deadly police shootings are evaluated by courts. The case revolves around a 2016 incident in Harris County, Texas, when Deputy Constable Roberto Felix pulled over 24-year-old Ashtian Barnes for unpaid toll violations.
Dashcam footage and court documents reveal that after initiating the traffic stop, Felix approached Barnes’s vehicle, asked for his license and proof of insurance, and was informed by Barnes that he may have the documents in the car’s trunk. When Felix suspected the presence of marijuana, he ordered Barnes out of the car. Barnes, however, restarted the vehicle and attempted to drive away. Felix, who had stepped onto the car’s sill, shot twice, killing Barnes.
Barnes’ mother, Janice Hughes, filed a lawsuit claiming excessive use of force in violation of the Fourth Amendment, which protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. Lower courts dismissed the case under the “moment of threat doctrine,” which evaluates the precise moment an officer perceives an immediate threat. However, Hughes’ legal team argues that a “totality of the circumstances” approach should be used, considering the officer’s actions leading up to the use of deadly force.
Felix’s legal team asserts that Barnes’s rights were not violated and claims that Felix is entitled to qualified immunity based on established law. The Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, in its amicus brief supporting Barnes, stresses the importance of holding officers accountable for excessive force to prevent a cycle of violence and maintain community trust in law enforcement.
The National Sheriffs’ Association, supporting Felix, argues that Barnes endangered Felix’s life by disobeying orders. Meanwhile, the Cato Institute advocates for a broader framework to evaluate reasonableness in such cases, highlighting the need to consider the circumstances leading to the use of deadly force, not just the moment of perceived threat.
