The estate of a man shot and killed by police officers is suing the officers they say were involved in his death.

According to the federal court filing, the estate of Fred Henry Wild is suing officers Shane Smith and Jared Pishotti of the Vienna Township Police Department, Deputy Dennis Garito of the Trumbull County Sheriff's Department, Sergeant Cody Dean of the Brookfield Township Police Department and Sergeant Jason Bonar of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The lawsuit claims Wild was a social guest of the owners of a home in the 1400 block of State Route 7 NE in Brookfield Township on March 21, 2023, when the defendants used deadly force to arrest and prevent Wild's escape.

The filing also says Wild was unarmed, arguing that the use of deadly force wasn't necessary and claims that Wild was deprived of "the right to be secure in and free from unreasonable seizures of his person."

The estate says it had to pay for Wild's funeral and burial expenses while also dealing with mental anguish.

The plaintiffs are demanding a judgment over $25,000.

Background

Investigators told 21 News on March 21, 2023, that officers shot 50-year-old Fred H. Wild as he allegedly drove a pickup truck toward them in the 2400 block of State Route 7 in Brookfield.

A joint news release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Lordstown Village Police Department, Vienna Township Police Department and Trumbull County Sheriff's Office said officers went to the address around 1 a.m. in response to a 9-1-1 call reporting a "dangerous suspect" was trespassing in a cabin on the private property.

Authorities recognized the man as Wild from a previous chase. Wild then allegedly jumped from the cabin window and got into a stolen pickup truck with a snow plow attached.

Officers told Wild to stop but they reported that he drove at them, leading them to fire upon him.

The Trumbull County Coroner ruled the shooting death of Wild a homicide on March 28, 2023. The death certificate said Wild died from multiple gunshot wounds.