Mother of Man Who Police Say Shot Himself While Handcuffed in Cop Car Suing

Police investigation found no wrongdoing

LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — The mother of a young man who authorities say fatally shot himself while handcuffed in the backseat of an Arkansas patrol car has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Jonesboro, its police chief and two officers.

Lawyers for Chavis Carter's mother, Teresa Rudd, filed the federal lawsuit on Friday — almost a year to the day after Carter's death.

Jonesboro police have faced criticism about the circumstances surrounding the July 28, 2012 death of Carter. Officers said they searched him twice without finding a gun, but later noticed him slumped over and bleeding in the back of the patrol car.