SPOKANE, Wash. — The family of a man killed by a security guard in Mead last month is filing a wrongful death suit, claiming a guard at the Bonneville Power Administration used excessive force.
A lawsuit filed in Spokane Superior Court claims John Franklin and his 19-year-old son were chased down and shot by a security guard protecting the Bonneville Power Administration in Mead last month.
John died at the scene. His teenage son was injured, but lived.
According to court documents, the two were motocross enthusiasts and brought a dirtbike to ride in Mead near public trails.
The lawsuit says Franklin's son was behind the wheel and bumped a no trespassing sign. The two were soon pursued by an Intercon security guard working for the power company.
Court documents claim they pulled over and the guard escalated the situation by grabbing John by the arm, eventually throwing him to the ground when he tried to get back into their vehicle.
John's son claims he tried to protect his dad, but moved away fearing he would be pepper sprayed. That's when the guard fired four to six shots, according to the lawsuit.
John died at the scene. His son was also shot and has since been released from the hospital.
The lawsuit claims Franklin and his son were unarmed. The Spokane County Sheriff's Office says the two were trespassing on federal land and witnesses saw them attack the guard before the shooting.
The guard who fired the shots has not been charged.
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