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Civil Case Over 2016 Tulsa Police Shooting Revived
Appeals court sends lawsuit over Terence Crutcher's death back to lower court
Mar. 31, 2026 at 2:08am
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The revival of the civil lawsuit over Terence Crutcher's death underscores the ongoing scrutiny of police use of force against Black individuals.Today in TulsaA federal appeals court has ruled that a judge partially erred in dismissing a civil rights lawsuit brought on behalf of Terence Crutcher, the man fatally shot by Tulsa Police officer Betty Shelby in 2016. The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel has sent the case back to the lower court for further proceedings.
Why it matters
The 2016 shooting of Terence Crutcher by Tulsa Police officer Betty Shelby sparked national outrage and protests over the use of force by law enforcement against Black individuals. This ruling revives the civil case and means the Crutcher family's lawsuit against the city and Shelby will continue to be litigated.
The details
In 2016, Tulsa Police officer Betty Shelby fatally shot Terence Crutcher, a 40-year-old Black man, after responding to a call about an abandoned vehicle. Shelby was later acquitted of manslaughter charges, but Crutcher's family filed a civil rights lawsuit against the city of Tulsa and Shelby. A federal judge initially dismissed parts of the lawsuit, but the appeals court has now ruled that the judge made an error in doing so, sending the case back to the lower court.
- The shooting of Terence Crutcher by Tulsa Police officer Betty Shelby occurred in September 2016.
- Shelby was acquitted of manslaughter charges in May 2017.
- Crutcher's family filed the civil rights lawsuit shortly after the acquittal in 2017.
- The federal judge initially dismissed parts of the lawsuit in 2019.
- The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel issued its ruling reviving the case on March 31, 2026.
The players
Terence Crutcher
A 40-year-old Black man who was fatally shot by Tulsa Police officer Betty Shelby in 2016, sparking national outrage.
Betty Shelby
The Tulsa Police officer who fatally shot Terence Crutcher in 2016. She was later acquitted of manslaughter charges.
Tulsa Police Department
The law enforcement agency that employed officer Betty Shelby and is a defendant in the civil rights lawsuit brought by Crutcher's family.
What they’re saying
“This ruling is an important step in seeking justice for Terence Crutcher and holding the Tulsa Police Department accountable.”
— Tiffany Crutcher, Terence Crutcher's twin sister
What’s next
The case will now return to the federal district court for further proceedings and a potential trial.
The takeaway
This ruling revives the civil rights lawsuit over the 2016 police shooting of Terence Crutcher, keeping the case alive and signaling the courts' willingness to scrutinize use-of-force incidents by law enforcement against Black individuals.
