Former Hays County jailer sued for allegedly shooting, killing inmate Joshua Wright

The family of Joshua Leon Wright, who was allegedly killed by a Hays County corrections officer while in custody in December 2022, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the officer in federal court Thursday.

In the lawsuit, the family alleges Isaiah Garcia, a former Hays County jailer, used excessive and unnecessary force against Wright while he was being treated at a hospital in Kyle that led to Wright's death. Garcia is being sued in his individual capacity, and the Hays County Jail is not named as a defendant.

"Our family loved Joshua — known for his huge heart, infectious smile, and devotion to our family," Wright's mother, Beverly, wrote in a statement in mid-July. "As a Black mother, I prayed my family would never be in the position we find ourselves today. The killing of Black men like my son by law enforcement remains all too common— it is past time for these officers to be held accountable."

'Justice for Josh':Calls for release of officer's body camera footage in Joshua Wright death grow

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, is the latest development in the saga after Wright's killing, during which his family and supporters issued widespread calls for transparency and justice in the case. Garcia was indicted by a grand jury and fired from his job in April, according to authorities. He pleaded not guilty to a charge of deadly conduct/discharge of a firearm in May, said his attorney, Jason S. English.

English did not immediately comment on the lawsuit Friday. It was unclear whether English will represent Garcia in the suit.

A spokesperson for Ascension Seton Hays hospital, where Wright was killed, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Texas Rangers, the investigative arm of the Texas Department of Public Safety that is often called in when local law enforcement reports in-custody deaths, also did not immediately provide details about their investigation into Wright's killing.

Garcia accused of shooting, killing Wright during hospital stay

In December 2022, Wright had been charged with various crimes and was being held in Hays County Jail while he awaited his day in court. He was accused of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, bail jumping, failure to appear, reckless driving, criminal mischief and evading arrest and detention, according to the Hays County sheriff's office.

Wright experienced what his family's lawyers called a "mental health crisis and possible medical emergency" at the jail the night of Dec. 11, 2022, and was taken to the Ascension Seton Hays emergency room in the early morning hours of the next day, according to the lawsuit. At the hospital, Wright reported severe chest pain and confirmed he was taking his prescribed psychiatric medication.

More:Questions persist after shooting of jail inmate at Kyle hospital. Here's what we know.

During Wright's stay at the hospital, the Hays County jailers who accompanied him left their shifts and were replaced by Garcia and another corrections officer, according to the suit. Shortly before Wright was scheduled to be discharged, he asked to use the bathroom, and Garcia unlocked his handcuffs but kept Wright's legs shackled.

As he was leaving the bathroom, authorities claimed, Wright assaulted Garcia and began running down the emergency room's hallway with his legs still bound. During his pursuit of Wright, Garcia allegedly drew his gun and shot Wright at least six times, an independent autopsy requested by Wright's family revealed.

'I won't give up':Family seeks answers in Joshua Wright’s in-custody killing, demand body cam video

In the suit, Edwards Law and Webber Law, the firms representing the family, allege the first three shots essentially incapacitated Wright, enabling Garcia to restrain him. Instead, lawyers claim, Garcia fired more shots, the fourth and fifth of which punctured Wright's lung and fractured some vertebrae. Wright suffered significant blood loss and was pronounced dead shortly afterward.

Wright's killing sparks demonstrations

In the immediate aftermath of Wright's killing, authorities claimed Wright posed a threat to those at the hospital during his alleged attempt to escape, which the family disputes in the lawsuit. Wright's family and community advocates have for months demanded the release of body camera footage and other details regarding the incident.

More:Family of Joshua Wright demands the release of body cam video

"While nothing can ever bring my son back, today we filed a lawsuit in federal court against Isaiah Garcia, the officer who killed my son," Beverly Wright wrote in her statement. "Our family and my son deserve the justice he was denied last December by Mr. Garcia."

More:Joshua Wright's family remembers loving father with a heart for social justice