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Amorosi family files sues over data release after teenage son killed by deputy

The family says "Carver County officials publicly painted a one-sided description of events, irreversibly damaging their son’s reputation and legacy."

CARVER COUNTY, Minn. — The family of Archer Amorosi filed a lawsuit alleging Carver County officials "unlawfully released private child data," following their son's death.  

Archer Amorosi, age 16,  was shot and killed by Carver County Sheriff’s deputies on July 13, 2018 after his mother called 911 saying her son was being “violent and destructive.”

RELATED: No charges against deputies who shot Chanhassen teen

Archer's father Don said his son was in the midst of a mental health crisis at the time, and that authorities did not adequately take into account his son's mental illness, despite attempts by the family to notify authorities ahead of time. 

RELATED: Father of Chanhassen teen shot by police fights for mental health care

The family says they received an outpouring of support from the community following the incident, but allege that officials attempted to "publicly paint a one-sided description of events, irreversibly damaging their son’s reputation and legacy and causing unnecessary anguish throughout the community."

The Amorosi Family attorney released this statement:

"On July 13, 2018, Donald and Kara Amorosi lost their beloved son when he was shot and killed by law enforcement while in the throes of a mental health crisis. While there was an outpouring of support from much of the community, there was a rush by Carver County officials to publicly paint a one-sided description of events, irreversibly damaging their son’s reputation and legacy and causing unnecessary anguish throughout the community. This lawsuit alleges that Carver County officials unlawfully released private child data in the days and months following their son’s death, exacerbating the grieving process for the Amorosi family and the many who loved their son. Our legislature stringently protects juvenile police records, so much so that violation of these privacy protections constitutes a crime. As such, the Amorosi family hopes this matter will be investigated by the Attorney General’s Office or some other independent law enforcement agency. While this lawsuit cannot undo the damage to this family’s privacy and their child’s reputation, those responsible can be held accountable, and perhaps the next family whose child dies at the hands of law enforcement may be treated with more humanity. The Amorosi family and their counsel intend to provide no further statement regarding this litigation while it remains pending."

If you or someone you know is in crisis, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is: 1-800-273-8255.

In addition, here’s a link to other mental health crisis lines for individual counties across Minnesota.

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