Orlando Barlow

Unarmed Orlando Barlow, 28, was shot in the back by a Las Vegas police officer while kneeling outside a home and appearing to surrender.

What happened

Orlando Barlow came out of a Las Vegas-area home on February 28, 2003 after officers responded to a reported hostage situation. Authorities said he had earlier held a shotgun inside the residence, but the weapon remained indoors when he emerged. Officers directed him to his knees and were moving to handcuff him. Officer Brian Hartman fired a fatal shot in Barlow's back, later saying he thought a movement toward the waistband meant Barlow was reaching for a gun. Officers subsequently determined that Barlow was unarmed at the moment he was shot. His mother pursued a civil-rights and wrongful-death lawsuit challenging the shooting, drawing attention to deadly force against people who have already come out and apparently surrendered.

Investigation & findings

A coroner's inquest characterized Hartman's shooting as 'excusable,' not an unqualified endorsement. The police department agreed to a reported $300,000 settlement with Barlow's mother.

What happened

Investigation & findings

Sources & records