An FBI agent was found negligent by a federal judge for fatally shooting a kidnapped man during a failed rescue operation, resulting in a payout of almost $2 million in damages.
The funds were granted to the mother and son of Ulises Valladares, who was 47 years old at the time of his death. The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Houston, asserted that Valladares was defenseless while bound and blindfolded when FBI agent Gavin Lappe shot him in January 2018 during an attempt to rescue him from captivity.
Lappe explained to authorities that he discharged his weapon when he suspected a kidnapper had taken hold of his rifle after he shattered a window to enter the premises. Not realizing he was targeting Valladares, Lappe’s shot proved fatal.
FBI agent Gavin Lappe was protected against the lawsuit through qualified immunity, which shields law enforcement from liability for wrongdoing. (iStock)
Former Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo previously said Lappe’s explanation for shooting Valladares is not backed up by evidence reviewed by police investigators.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
