The family of a Georgia woman who was shot and killed during a search warrant has filed a $25 million lawsuit against the Camden County Sheriff's Office. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the woman’s nine-year-old daughter.

At about 5:00 am on May 4th, 2021, 37-year-old Latoya James was at the home of her cousin, Varshan Brown, when she was killed by gunfire during the execution of a search warrant in Woodbine, a small town about 100 miles south of Savannah.

Deputies arrived at the home to search the home for drugs, but the warrant went awry moments after deputies announced themselves. The event was caught on body cam footage and shows deputies engaging in gunfire just seconds after knocking on the door and announcing that a search warrant was taking place. The body cam footage is obstructed by a shield used whenever search warrants are conducted; however, audio clearly depicts rapid gunfire breaking out moments after the first knock. Both Brown and deputies began to exchange gunfire, though it's not clear who initiated the gunfire.

Attorneys for the family focused on the claim that Brown did not have enough time to respond to the authorities after they knocked on his door. They explain, “You must at least give the opportunity for them to respond to the non-mission. The video is very clear that that didn’t happen.”

Bakari Sellers, another family attorney, painted a picture of a chaotic scene explaining, “It was 2.5 seconds before they entered the home, which is nowhere near enough time.”

An investigation into the shooting yielded no charges against the deputies who executed the search warrant. However, Brown faces a number of charges including felony murder over the death of his cousin. Prosecutors also determined that the deputies were justified in using deadly force.

Another family attorney, Harry Daniels, shared, “Imagine if somebody came to your house at 4 or 5 o’clock in the morning, knocked down a door. I’m sure you’re going to protect your family. That’s exactly what Mr. Brown did.”

In a press conference, James's family shares through emotional testimony how their daughter should not have been killed and that deputies and the sheriff's office should be held accountable for her wrongful death. James' mother, Betty Jean James, pleaded, “We deserve justice for my child,” adding, “Our kids are not supposed to go before you.”

The lawsuit argues four violations, unlawful entry, excessive force, lack of consequences for deputies involved, and unlawful death. The lawsuit also highlights that because Brown was not given enough time to answer the door after deputies executed the warrant, Georgia’s knock-and-announce warrant law was violated.