Family to file $75 million lawsuit in death of teen shot by police

Attorneys for the family of a teenager killed by police in Newnan plan to file a $75 million wrongful death lawsuit.

Channel 2’s Berndt Petersen was at a news conference on Friday as attorneys for Zadarious Dorsey’s family announced their intent to sue.

Dorsey, 18, was shot and killed last month after an officer says he saw the teen pull a gun from his waistband. The gun, which had been reported stolen several years ago, was found more than 40 feet away from his body.

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His family says body camera video from the incident never showed a gun in Dorsey’s hands.

“We don’t believe that physics would allow him to toss a gun that distance away if he was shot immediately and fell immediately. The math, just not mathing,” Attorney Harry Daniels said.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed Dorsey’s DNA was on the gun.

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As conditions of his bonds from previous cases in Coweta and Carroll counties, Dorsey was not allowed to have possession of a gun.

The DA’s office also reported that in body camera footage from the chase and arrest, the officer can be heard referring to Dorsey by his nickname, saying “Stop, Dae Dae,” implying that he was familiar with Dorsey.

Previous police reports show that the officer was present for Dorsey’s arrests in May 2024 and October 2025, as well as his trespass from Newnan High School in August 2023.

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