Case 5:23-cv-00186 Document 1 Filed 02/11/23 Page 1 of 6 PageID #: 1
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
:
TANGELA BAGLEY and EULA SANDERS :
and LAQUINTA JOHNSON :
: Civil Action
Plaintiffs : No.: 5:23-cv-186
:
v. :
:
POLICE OFFICER ALEXANDER TYLER :
: JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
Defendant. :
PLAINTIFFS’ ORIGINAL COMPLAINT
NOW COMES Plaintiffs Eula Sanders, Tangela Bagley, and Laquinta Johnson
complaining of Defendant, Police Officer Alexander Tyler seeking judgment in their favor for
violations of their Decedent’s Fourth Amendment rights under the United States Constitution
and Louisiana State Law. In support thereof, Plaintiff avers as follows:
PARTIES
1. Alonzo Bagley, the decedent, was at all relevant times until his death a person of the full
age and majority and a resident of Shreveport Louisiana.
2. Plaintiff Tangela Bagley is the wife of Alonzo Bagley, the successor to his estate, a person
of the full age and of majority, and a resident of Shreveport Louisiana. Ms. Bagley sues
on behalf of herself and as the representative of the Estate of Alonzo Bagley.
3. Plaintiff Eula Sanders is the mother of Alonzo Bagley, a person of the full age and of
majority, and a resident of Shreveport Louisiana.
4. Plaintiff Laquinta Johnson is the minor stepdaughter of Alonzo Bagley, a witness to his
violent death, and a resident of Shreveport Louisiana.
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5. Defendant Alexander Tyler was at all relevant times, a duly appointed officer in the
Shreveport Louisiana Police Department acting within the scope of his employment and
under color of law. He is hereby sued in his individual and official capacity.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
6. Jurisdiction exists in this Honorable Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1343 as
this action is brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 to redress a deprivation of the Fourth
Amendment rights of the decedent Alonzo Bagley. Plaintiff further invokes the
supplemental jurisdiction of this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1367 to adjudicate
pendent state law claims.
7. Venue is proper in this Honorable Court as Defendants’ constitutional violations and
intentional torts and otherwise violative conduct occurred within the Western District of
Louisiana.
NATURE OF THE CASE
8. Plaintiffs bring this matter before the court seeking damages for the tragic and
unnecessary death of their decedent Alonzo Bagley.
9. Mr. Bagley was fatally shot by police officer Alexander Tyler.
10. The lethal force used against Mr. Bagley was unjustified, unreasonable, excessive, and
in violation of Mr. Bagley’s rights under the United States Constitution and the laws of
the State of Louisiana.
FACTS
11. On February 3, 2023, Defendant police officer Alexander Tyler (“Tyler”) and another
unidentified Shreveport police officer responded to a “disturbance” call for service at
the Villa Norte Apartment Complex in Shreveport Louisiana.
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12. Upon arrival, Tyler determined that the call for service was related the apartment of
Alonzo and Tangela Bagley.
13. Tyler went to the Bagley apartment to investigate the source of the disturbance.
14. Tangela Bagley allowed Tyler into the apartment.
15. Tyler attempted to converse with Alonzo Bagley.
16. Alonzo Bagley declined to converse with Tyler and fled the apartment.
17. Alonzo Bagley never threatened Tyler, display a weapon, or otherwise indicated in any
way that he was a threat to Tyler’s safety prior to fleeing.
18. Alonzo Bailey ran behind his apartment building towards another building within the
apartment complex.
19. Tyler pursued Alonzo Bagley on foot.
20. As Tyler rounded the corner of the second apartment building, he saw Alonzo Bagley
and immediately, fatally, shot him in the chest.
21. Alonzo Bagley was unarmed when Tyler fatally shot him.
22. Alonzo Bagley had his hands up when Tyler fatally shot him.
23. Alonzo Bagley posed no threat to Tyler or anyone else when Tyler fatally shot him.
24. Tyler’s use of lethal force against an unarmed man who posed no threat is objectively
unreasonable, excessive and wholly without justification.
WRONGFUL DEATH - LA C.C. Art. 2315.2.
25. Plaintiffs hereby brings a Wrongful Death claim pursuant to LA C.C. Art. 2315.2.
26. The actions of the Defendant officer Alexander Tyler caused the death of Alonzo
Bagley.
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27. Plaintiffs claim all available damages under the Louisiana Wrongful Death Statute for
financial contributions and the loss of future services, support, society, comfort, affection,
guidance, tutelage, and contribution that the Plaintiff’s decedent, Alonzo Bagley, would
have rendered but for his traumatic, untimely and unnatural death.
28. Plaintiff claims damages for payment for all medical expense, funeral expenses, and burial
expenses.
SURVIVAL ACTION - LA C.C. Art. 2315.1
29. Plaintiff Tangela Bagley hereby brings a Survival Action under the Louisiana Survival
Statute, LA C.C. Art. 2315.1,
30. Plaintiff Tangela Bagley claims all damages recoverable under the Statute, including but
not limited to, loss of income both past and future income potential, as well as, pain and
suffering prior to death, and for emotional distress suffered by Alonzo Bagley from the
initiation of the attack upon him until the ultimate time of his death.
COUNT I: 42 U.S.C. § 1983 EXCESSIVE FORCE
Plaintiffs v. Officer Alexander Tyler
1. The preceding paragraphs are incorporated by reference as though laid out fully herein.
2. Officer Alexander Tyler shot Alonzo Bagley which caused him mental anguish, pain,
agony and untimely death.
3. Officer Alexander Tyler’s conduct was intentional, excessive, and objectively
unreasonable.
4. Officer Alexander Tyler was acting under color of state law.
5. Plaintiffs seek damages, including for the nature and extent of Decedent’s injuries, pre-
death pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of life and enjoyment of life, as well
as all available damages available under the law.
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WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment in her favor, and against Defendants in excess
of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) including interest, delay damages, costs of suit, general and
specific damages, including both survival and wrongful death damages, punitive and exemplary
damages as provided by law.
COUNT II: BATTERY
Plaintiffs v. Officer Alexander Tyler
6. The preceding paragraphs are incorporated by reference as though laid out fully herein.
7. Officer Alexander Tyler shot Alonzo Bagley which caused him mental anguish, pain,
agony and untimely death.
8. Officer Alexander Tyler’s conduct was intentional, harmful, and offensive.
9. Plaintiffs seek damages, including for the nature and extent of Alonzo Bagley’s injuries,
pre-death pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of life and enjoyment of life, as
well as all available damages available under the law.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment in her favor, and against Defendants in excess
of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) including interest, delay damages, costs of suit, general and
specific damages, including both survival and wrongful death damages, punitive and exemplary
damages as provided by law.
COUNT III: La. C.C. Art. 2315.6 BYSTANDER RECOVERY
Laquinta Johnson and Tangela Bagley v. Officer Alexander Tyler
10. The preceding paragraphs are incorporated by reference as though laid out fully herein.
11. Officer Alexander Tyler shot Alonzo Bagley which caused him injury.
12. Plaintiff Laquinta Johnson Officer witnessed Alexander Tyler’s conduct which caused
her mental anguish and emotional distress.
13. Plaintiff Tangela Bagley came upon the scene that resulted from Alexander Tyler’s
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conduct which caused her mental anguish and emotional distress.
14. Officer Alexander Tyler’s conduct was of a type that a reasonable person should expect
to cause emotional distress.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment in her favor, and against Defendants in
excess of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) including interest, delay damages, costs of suit,
general and specific damages, including both survival and wrongful death damages, punitive
and exemplary damages as provided by law.
Respectfully Submitted,
/S/ Ronald Haley
Ronald Haley, Esquire
HALEY AND ASSOCIATES
8211 Goodwood Blvd Ste E,
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
/S/ Mark V. Maguire
Mark V. Maguire, Esquire
McELDREW PURTELL
123 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19109
(Pro hac vice petition forthcoming)
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