7News has learned that the family of Maurica Manyan, a special police officer who was shot and killed by a former D.C. Police officer during a training session, will be filing a lawsuit against the District.
On August 4, 2022, 25-year-old mother and Special Police Officer Maurica Manyan attended a training session conducted by former cop Jesse Porter at the Anacostia Library in D.C. Shortly after 3:30 p.m., officers responded to the scene for a reported shooting and located Manyanunconscious and with a gunshot wound. An investigation determined that for whatever reason, Porter pulled a handgun during the session and shot Manyan.
Latoya Francis-Williams, an attorney representing the Manyan family, said the lawsuit came about following the confirmation that Porter killed Manyan in his capacity as an agent with the District of Columbia.
Francis-Williams went on to explain that the suit is an effort to hold the city accountable for the incident and to get recompense for the family
In the video, you can see Manyan circled in green, posing for a photo with a group that includes Jesse Porter, circled in blue.
Just seconds after the photo is taken, Porter suddenly pulls his gun from his holster and a shot goes off, hitting Manyan.
According to witnesses, Porter pulled the gun as a joke. After shooting Manyan, Porter appears visibly distraught. He’s later seen with another person trying to perform CPR on Manyan.
Chelsea Lewis, a lawyer representing the Manyan family shared the following response with 7News regarding the video:
Along with the lawsuit, Manyan’s family is also calling for an investigation into possible policy violations made by Porter.
7News spoke to Mayor Muriel Bowser Wednesday morning regarding the lawsuit.
On August 25, Porter was sentenced to three years in prison for the shooting and gets credit for the time he already served
After the sentencing, Manyan’s family and representation described their disgust with the ruling. Lewis called it a “far too lenient sentence.”
“The family is extremely disappointed with the sentence that was imposed today,” Lewis said. “It is not only a slap in the face but it seemed as if the court completely disregarded the family’s heartfelt pleas for justice.”
