Strong v. Gorman

310 F. Supp. 3d 380
CourtDistrict Court, W.D. New York
DecidedApril 19, 2018
Docket15–CV–6346L
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 310 F. Supp. 3d 380 (Strong v. Gorman) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, W.D. New York primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Strong v. Gorman, 310 F. Supp. 3d 380 (W.D.N.Y. 2018).

Opinion

DAVID G. LARIMER, United States District Judge

INTRODUCTION

On June 24, 2013, plaintiff, Ralph D. Strong, Jr., shot two men to death outside a nightclub in Rochester, New York. Strong was not immediately apprehended after the shooting, but remained at large for several days. He was eventually spotted, and on June 27, 2013, Strong was arrested by officers of the Rochester Police Department ("RPD").

Strong was later convicted of two counts of first degree murder as a result of the victims' deaths, as well as several other charges, including attempted aggravated murder of a police officer, stemming from incidents that occurred in connection with his arrest. He is currently serving a life sentence as a result of those crimes.

Appearing pro se , and while serving his sentence, plaintiff commenced this action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, on June 25, 2015. Plaintiff brings claims against three RPD officers who were involved in his arrest.

Some specifics of plaintiff's allegations are less than clear, but in general he alleges that the three defendants-RPD officers Charles Gorman, Matt Balch, and Daniel Rizzo-used excessive force in effectuating his arrest, in violation of plaintiff's rights under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Defendants have moved for summary judgment ( (Dkt. # 17). After defendants filed their motion, the Court sent a notice to plaintiff, giving him until February 9, 2018 to file a response to defendants' motion (Dkt. # 18). Plaintiff has not responded.1

DISCUSSION

I. Plaintiff's Failure to Respond to Defendants' Motion

Rule 56(e) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides that if the non-moving party fails to respond to a summary judgment motion by setting forth "specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial," then "summary judgment, if appropriate, shall be entered against the adverse party." Local Rule 56 also provides that all material facts set forth in the movant's statement of material facts "will be deemed admitted unless controverted by the statement required to be served by the opposing party." Local Rule 7.1(e) mandates that the party opposing a summary judgment motion file an answering memorandum and supporting affidavit, and *382further states that "[f]ailure to comply...may constitute grounds for resolving the motion against the non-complying party."

Both the defendants' motion (Dkt. # 17-11) and the Court's scheduling order (Dkt. # 18) gave ample notice to plaintiff of the consequences of failing to respond to defendants motion. I will not quote the text of either at length, but it could not have been more explicit that plaintiff's claims would be subject to dismissal if he did not submit a response contravening the facts asserted by defendants in support of their motion.

Since plaintiff has not filed a response to defendant's motion, the Court may, consistent with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Local Rules for this district, assume the truth of defendant's factual assertions, and proceed to determine whether, based upon those facts, summary judgment for defendants is warranted. See Champion v. Artuz , 76 F.3d 483, 486 (2d Cir. 1996) ; see, e.g., Morrison v. Dr. Pepper Snapple Group , 916 F.Supp.2d 372, 373-74 (W.D.N.Y. 2013).

Based on the facts before me, I find no basis for plaintiff's claims. Defendants are therefore granted summary judgment.

II. The Facts

As explained above, the Court can accept the truth of defendants' assertions in support of their motion for summary judgment. But at least by way of background, the Court will summarize the allegations of the complaint.

Plaintiff alleges that the RPD acted with probable cause in seeking to find the person responsible for the two fatal shootings of June 23, 2013. Complaint ¶ 9. Plaintiff also alleges that after he was located by RPD officers, he "fled on foot ... with what appeared to be a firearm." Complaint ¶ 10. Plaintiff states that a "Sgt. Zenovlic" (who is not named as a defendant) caught up with him, fired and hit plaintiff, "disarming the plaintiff in the process." Complaint ¶ 11.2 (It might be stating the obvious to note that "disarming" someone implies that the person on the receiving end was armed to begin with.)

By plaintiff's account, he continued to flee. Eventually, he alleges, he was cornered by defendants Gorman, Balch and Rizzo.

Plaintiff alleges that defendants ordered him to surrender. He claims he did so and put up his hands. But, according to plaintiff, all three defendants opened fire on him. Plaintiff alleges that he was not armed at that time, and that there was no reasonable justification for the officers to fire at him.

Again, those are the facts as alleged in the complaint. Even those allegations are hardly very supportive of plaintiff's claims.

But as stated, in the absence of a response from plaintiff, the Court can accept the truth of defendants' allegations. Those allegations, which are taken from defendants' Rule 56 Statement (Dkt. # 17-6) show the following.

On the afternoon of June 27, 2013, plaintiff-who was wanted in connection with the June 24 murders-was spotted driving his car in Rochester. He was pursued by RPD officers in a high-speed chase, until the pursuing officers broke off the chase, when it became to dangerous to continue, since plaintiff was speeding on city streets and running red lights.

Eventually, plaintiff ditched his vehicle and ran away on foot. When RPD officers discovered the abandoned vehicle, several officers established a perimeter as they continued to search for plaintiff.

*383At one point, Sgt. Zenelovic spotted plaintiff near a house on North Goodman Street, holding a pistol. Zenelovic drew his weapon, and plaintiff fired at him. An exchange of gunfire ensued, during which Zenelovic was struck twice, and fell to the ground. Strong was also hit.

A fellow officer, Matthew Lebeda (who is not a party to this action) was nearby, and saw Zenelovic get shot and fall. Seeing plaintiff run from the scene-gun still in hand-Lebeda gave chase.

Defendants were also in the area. Based in part on radio transmissions, including an "Officer Down" call, as well as their visual observations of Sgt. Zenelovic and the plaintiff, defendants pursued and attempted to intercept the plaintiff.

The details of what happened next are set forth in Defendant's Rule 56 Statement.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
310 F. Supp. 3d 380, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/strong-v-gorman-nywd-2018.