James Lowery’s family wins $850,000 in civil suit over fatal shooting

A federal jury awarded James Lowery’s family $850,000 Tuesday in a civil case stemming from his fatal shooting by a Titusville police officer, according to an attorney representing the family.Lowery, 40, was killed Dec. 26, 2021, during a foot pursuit by then-Officer Joshua Nathan Payne.The lawsuit was brought by Lowery’s daughter, Jamiyah Robinson, as personal representative of his estate. It alleged that Payne used excessive force when he shot an unarmed Lowery in the back of the head.Shooting followed domestic violence callPayne encountered Lowery while responding to a report of domestic violence. Investigators later determined Lowery was not involved in the incident that prompted the call.An Oct. 16 filing by the estate’s attorneys outlined facts the parties had agreed upon before trial, including that Lowery was unarmed and that Payne shot him in the back of the head within one second of Lowery going over a fence.The original complaint also alleged that the Titusville Police Depar