Sixteen-year-old Nick Woody dies in a Lakewood swamp following a police chase, raising serious questions about the officers’ response. After the teen fled from a stolen vehicle with nearby firearms, police shot pepper balls at him while he struggled to survive in the freezing water, waiting 35 minutes before attempting to help.
Nick’s family considers a wrongful death lawsuit against the Lakewood Police Department, arguing that the use of pepper balls demonstrated negligence as they failed to prioritize his rescue. Body-camera footage reveals officers hesitating due to fears about Nick’s potential weapon, all while he was visibly non-responsive in the cold water.
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