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Court rejects Navajo Nation’s lawsuit over police shooting

Window Rock, Ariz. • A federal court has dismissed the Navajo Nation’s lawsuit against the U.S. government and Winslow, Arizona, over the police shooting of a tribal member.

The Gallup Independent reports Judge G. Murray Snow ruled last week that the tribe lack standing and “did not suffer a legally cognizable injury” from the March 2016 death of Loreal Tsingine.

The tribe filed suit last year, claiming Tsingine’s civil and constitutional rights were violated. It also faulted the U.S. Justice Department for not prosecuting former Winslow Police Officer Austin Shipley.

The department said it could not prove that Shipley willfully used excessive force and did not act in self-defense.

Navajo Nation spokesman Jared Touchin says the tribe is reviewing the ruling and has not yet decided if it will appeal.

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By The Associated Press