ATLANTA, Ga. –– Nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has been retained by Aaliyah Adams, the mother of 5-year-old Skylar Adams. The mother and daughter were caught in a terrifying carjacking incident that led to Skylar being hit by a deputy’s bullet on Sunday night.
According to Aaliyah Adams, her daughter was asleep in the back seat of their BMW when the suspect, Rashauny Palmer, attempted to carjack their vehicle while fleeing from law enforcement. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) reported that Palmer, 25, had been arrested on charges of aggravated assault and kidnapping but managed to escape custody and led police on a dangerous chase.
During the pursuit Palmer’s vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer and came to a stop at the bottom of the Fulton Industrial Boulevard exit ramp. He then attempted to carjack the BMW at the gas station where Aaliyah and Skylar were present. As Palmer tried to enter the vehicle, a Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputy opened fire, striking Skylar. She was taken to a hospital where she was treated for injuries.
Attorney Crump issued the following statement:
“This terrible situation underscores the urgent need for law enforcement to exercise greater caution and restraint in their use of force, especially when innocent lives are at risk.
“We are committed to thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident, including the actions of the deputy involved, to determine the full extent of the responsibility and to seek accountability for the harm caused –– harm which nearly led to this young child losing her life.
“We urge the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into this matter and for the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office to carefully review its findings, taking appropriate action to get Aaliyah and Skylar the justice they deserve.”
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ABOUT BEN CRUMP LAW
Through his work, nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has spearheaded a legal movement to better protect the rights of marginalized citizens. He has led landscape-changing civil rights cases and represented clients in a wide range of areas including civil rights, personal injury, labor and employment, class actions, and more. Ben Crump Law is dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. For more information, visit bencrump.com.
