Aurora family files federal lawsuit over fatal police shooting

The family of Rajon Belt-Stubblefield has filed a 144-page federal lawsuit against the City of Aurora and Police Officer Matthew Neely. The lawsuit alleges wrongful death, excessive force, and civil rights violations following the fatal shooting of the 37-year-old Black man in August 2025.

The incident occurred after a traffic crash and a brief confrontation. While Officer Neely has already been indicted by a grand jury on charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter, the family is pursuing civil litigation to seek broader accountability. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing the family, stated that the lawsuit aims to address systemic issues, alleging that Neely failed to de-escalate the encounter and that the department had previously received complaints regarding racial profiling involving the officer.