Mother files wrongful death lawsuit against Jefferson City Police Department, city

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The mother of a minor who died in April 2024 has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Jefferson City, its police department and 10 of its officers.

Shannon Gilchrist filed the lawsuit on Tuesday in Cole County. The officers are listed as “John Doe” in the lawsuit because the names are not known.

The petition claims Gilchrist’s son Benjamin Elles fell off the roof of the parking garage near East Monroe Street and East State Street “while in custody” of police on April 27, 2024.

Gilchrist accuses the officers of wrongful death, while the city and JCPD is accused of vicarious liability. The petition accuses the city of not adequately training its officers and that Elles was “more likely to suffer injury or death while they are being taken into custody or when their movements are restricted.”

A hearing in the case has not been scheduled.

ABC 17 News reached out to JCPD on Wednesday afternoon.