The children of a man shot and killed in 2017 during a traffic stop on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation are appealing a judge’s decision to dismiss their wrongful death lawsuit. The family had sued Bureau of Indian Affairs Officer Raymond Webb and the federal government in connection with the shooting death of their father, George “Ryan” Gipp Jr. The family claimed damages to be determined by the judge at trial. Webb used his Taser twice on Gipp before firing 17 rounds, fatally shooting him. The incident took place on the reservation in North Dakota.
According to court documents, the U.S. Justice Department attorneys defended Webb’s actions, stating that his use of the Taser and deadly force were reasonable and justified. They argued that Gipp’s actions, such as ignoring commands and reaching into his pocket, increased the perceived threat level. The family, however, claimed that Gipp was unarmed and that Webb’s use of force was unreasonable under the circumstances. They believed that Webb’s decision to discharge his Taser escalated the situation and ultimately led to Gipp’s death.
The traffic stop occurred after a report of a gun being fired in a gas station parking lot in Fort Yates. The family explained that Gipp accidentally discharged a shotgun after turkey hunting with his parents, and threw the gun out the vehicle’s window before the traffic stop. Despite Gipp’s parents being present, the officers placed them in the backseats of their vehicles before the shooting. In January, U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor ruled that Webb’s actions were objectively reasonable and essentially dismissed the case.
The family is now seeking to revive the case and have it sent back for trial so they can present evidence in court. Their attorney, Tom Conlin, stated that they filed an appellant brief in mid-April to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The U.S. Justice Department declined to comment on behalf of the attorneys representing Webb and the government. The North Dakota U.S. Attorney’s Office also refrained from commenting on the Gipp case. Conlin mentioned that no criminal charges were brought against the officers in this case.
In a separate incident, Webb was indicted in federal court in South Dakota on assault and firearm charges. His attorney declined to comment on the charges or the ongoing lawsuit. It remains unclear whether Webb is still employed as a Bureau of Indian Affairs officer. The family of George “Ryan” Gipp Jr. continues to seek justice for his death and hopes that their appeal to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will result in a trial where they can present their evidence and arguments. The case exemplifies the complex legal and emotional challenges faced by families seeking accountability for the deaths of their loved ones in law enforcement encounters.
