Earlier this week federal authorities announced they are looking into the shooting death of a Black man by Georgia state trooper, who attempted to stop the driver in 2020 over a broken tail light according to FOX Atlanta 5. The family of Julian Lewis have asking federal investigators to look into the case since a grand jury in Screven County decided not to indict the trooper on murder charges. Lewis’ son and family attorneys arrived in Savannah to meet with federal prosecutors on Monday

The office of acting U.S. Attorney David Estes issued a statement that federal prosecutors were “examining” the circumstances of Lewis’ death “in consultation with the FBI” according to the news station.

Trooper Jacob G. Thompson was let go by the Georgia State Patrol and jailed on charges of felony murder and aggravated assault soon after Lewis’ death on Aug. 7, 2020. Thompson says Lewis tried to flee a traffic stop for a broken tail light. After a short chase, the officer forced Lewis’ car into a ditch.

Thompson wrote in his report that he shot Lewis as the man was revving his engine and turning his steering wheel, as if he was trying to ram the trooper. However, Georgia Bureau of Investigation Agent Dustin Peak later testified in court that was impossible. Peak says Lewis’ car battery disconnected when his vehicle hit the ditch, leaving the car unable to be driven.

The murder case stalled in state court when a grand jury declined to indict Thompson. Ogeechee Judicial Circuit District Attorney Daphne Totten, whose office was prosecuting the case, has not said whether she will try again to indict the former trooper. The grand jury failed to return an indictment, Thompson’s defense attorney, Keith Barber, said the former trooper was “only doing his job” to protect the public and “acted in self-defense” when he shot Lewis.

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