Karpe Litigation Group

Karpe Litigation Group has filed a civil rights suit in federal court on behalf of the Estate of Wyatt Beckler against the City of Fort Wayne and the Fort Wayne Police Department for the shooting death of Wyatt Beckler.

18 year old Wyatt Beckler was known to have emotional problems including depression, self-harm, and suicidal tendencies. Fort Wayne Police had been to his home on a number of occasions about mental health issues. On November 2, 2022 Wyatt called 911 and reported an armed person matching his own description. He did not answer additional questions by the 911 operator or provide his name.

Rather than follow up at the home address provided in the 911 call, Officer Andrew Fry went to the neighborhood and searched for a person matching Wyatt Beckler's description. Upon locating Wyatt Beckler the officer initiated a stop without legal reasonable suspicion. When Wyatt did not comply with some of Officer Fry's commands, the officer shot Wyatt 3 times in the back, killing him. No gun was found on Wyatt Beckler.

The attached video is the original news report from 21 Alive regarding the shooting.