JAMAL R. WARD v. CHARLES BROTZKE; AARON THOMPSON; BAILEY RUMSCHLAG - Articles

All Content

JAMAL R. WARD v. CHARLES BROTZKE; AARON THOMPSON; BAILEY RUMSCHLAG

Posted by: Azya Thornton on Jun 12, 2026

Court: 6th Circuit Court (Published Opinions)

Attorneys 1: ARGUED: Robert G. Kamenec, FIEGER, FIEGER, KENNEY & HARRINGTON, P.C., Southfield, Michigan, for Appellant.

Attorneys 2: ARGUED: Linda D. Fegins, CITY OF DETROIT, Detroit, Michigan, for Appellees.

Attorneys 3: ON BRIEF: Robert G. Kamenec, FIEGER, FIEGER, KENNEY & HARRINGTON, P.C., Southfield, Michigan, for Appellant.

Attorneys 4: ON BRIEF: Linda D. Fegins, CITY OF DETROIT, Detroit, Michigan, for Appellees.

Judge(s): THAPAR, BUSH, and MURPHY, Circuit Judges

Court Appealed: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan at Ann Arbor

JOHN K. BUSH, Circuit Judge. A police officer entered a convenience store and spotted a man bearing a partially concealed handgun. The officer asked the man, Jamal Ward, if he had a concealed pistol license. Ward answered “no.” The officer then directed Ward to keep his hands raised, away from the gun. But Ward ignored that order and instead pulled out the weapon and ran toward the store exit. Two other officers then fired at Ward. Shots from one officer’s gun hit him. Ward survived and sued all the officers for excessive force under federal and state law. The district court granted summary judgment to the officers on the grounds of qualified immunity. We AFFIRM.

Attachments: