In the waning hours of a September day in Birmingham, Alabama, a series of events unfolded that would end the life of 19-year-old Aubrey A. Johnson. On September 28, 2008, two Birmingham police officers, Anderson Dunning and his training officer, Sandy Jackson, were responding to a domestic violence call. Near the location of the call, they encountered Johnson in a vehicle.
Believing he may have been connected to the domestic incident, the officers attempted to stop him for questioning.
What began as a traffic stop quickly escalated when Johnson exited his vehicle and fled on foot. Both officers initially gave chase. At some point during the pursuit, Officer Jackson ordered Officer Dunning to cease the chase. However, Dunning continued his pursuit of Johnson. The foot chase ended behind a residence at 7917 4th Avenue, where Officer Dunning apprehended Johnson. It was there that Dunning discharged his service weapon, firing a single shot that struck Johnson in the back of the head, resulting in his immediate death. Evidence later indicated that Johnson may have surrendered before he was shot.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Aubrey Johnson's mother, Theresa F. Johnson, filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Birmingham, the Birmingham Police Department, Officer Anderson Dunning, and Officer Sandy Jackson. The lawsuit alleged the use of excessive force. The Birmingham Police Department was later dismissed as a defendant in the case. The ultimate outcome of the lawsuit, including any potential settlement or verdict, and whether the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office presented the case to a grand jury for criminal charges against Officer Dunning, have not been publicly detailed in available online sources. Similarly, any disciplinary action taken against Officer Dunning by the Birmingham Police Department as a result of the shooting is not readily apparent from the information available.
