Texas Deputy After Killing Unarmed Man: ‘I Just Smoked a Dude’

​A federal judge has denied qualified immunity for former Rusk County Sheriff's Deputy Sgt. Shane Iversen, allowing a civil lawsuit to proceed in the 2022 shooting death of 29-year-old Timothy Michael Randall. The incident, captured on dashcam video, has drawn national attention and raised questions about police use of force in East Texas.

What Happened?​

In the early hours of September 14, 2022, Iversen stopped Randall near Turnertown, Texas, for allegedly running a stop sign. Randall, unarmed, exited his vehicle and questioned the reason for his arrest. A physical struggle ensued, during which Iversen tackled Randall twice. As Randall attempted to flee, Iversen fired a single shot, striking him in the chest. Randall collapsed and died at the scene.

The Footage

The dashcam footage, released in June 2024 following a court order, contradicts initial claims that Randall posed a threat. The video shows Randall with his hands raised, pleading, "Officer, please," moments before the shooting. After the incident, Iversen was heard saying, "I just smoked a dude," during a phone call with a colleague.

A Rusk County grand jury declined to indict Iversen in November 2022. However, in January 2025, U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love ruled that a reasonable juror could find the use of deadly force excessive, allowing the civil case to move forward. ​

The Mother Files Suit

Randall's mother, Wendy Tippitt, filed the lawsuit alleging excessive force and wrongful death. She stated that authorities provided little information following her son's death, prompting her to seek legal action.

Iversen, a former Army special forces soldier, retired quietly after the shooting. His attorneys argue he believed Randall was armed, citing the discovery of a meth pipe in Randall's possession.

The case continues to spark debate over law enforcement accountability and the appropriate use of force during routine traffic stops in Texas.