In the early afternoon of August 28, 2003, Brian Wells walked into a bank in Erie and handed a teller a note that instructed the teller to fill the bag with $250,000. Wells then showed the teller a bomb chained to his neck.
The teller filled the bag with some money, and Wells left the bank. State Troopers found him standing outside his car in a parking lot a few minutes later. While arresting him, Wells explained that a group of men had chained the Bomb to his neck at gunpoint and forced him to rob the bank.
The Troopers called in the bomb squad and took safety positions behind their cars. Twenty-five minutes later, the Bomb on Well's neck exploded, killing him instantly.
Why The Cops Didn't Remove the Bomb
When arresting Wells in the Parking lot only to discover the Bomb, they immediately set into action officer safety, pushing officers away. In contrast, the bomb squad was called as they were the squad specialized in handling such situations. At the time, the Cops were also busy determining if Brian Wells was, in fact, Innocent or part of the scheme and looking to take out officers with him.
The Answers:
The government continues to interview and seek answers; several witnesses have different questions and answers. Many factors continue to arise, and the government has yet to announce the results and guilty parties involved in the operation.
Could the Wells Family Sue the City Of Erie for Negligence and For Not Helping Him to Remove the Bomb From His Neck?
Filing such a civil lawsuit would require Brian Wells' family to file a wrongful death claim and prove that Wells was either:
- Intentionally killed by the police
- A medical malpractice victim
- A car accident victim
If the family can meet the burden of proof and prove that police were guilty and negligent, they'd be entitled to damages including, but not limited to,
- Funeral expenses,
- Lost wages
- Medical costs
In this case, it is unlikely that the family would be able to meet the burden of proof necessary to win a civil lawsuit against the police. The best action for the family would be to consult with a personal injury and wrongful death attorney to discuss their options and determine if they have a case worth pursuing. Attorneys such as Robert J. DeBry & Associates.