Ron Ely, the former 'Tarzan' actor, who recently passed away, had been challenging the Santa Barbara District Attorney’s report that justified the 2019 police shooting of his son, Cameron Ely.
Cameron was accused of fatally stabbing his mother, Valerie Lundeen Ely, outside the family’s California home and was reportedly shot by deputies after allegedly surrendering with his hands raised—a claim supported by the family’s attorney, John Burris.
The DA’s report states that Cameron verbally threatened officers, claiming he had a gun and making a motion toward his waistband, prompting the deputies to fire 24 rounds. Burris contested this, asserting, "They had no lawful basis to shoot Cameron."
Before his passing, Ely and his daughters filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Santa Barbara County and the deputies involved, alleging civil-rights violations and misuse of deadly force.
The lawsuit also claims that emergency responders were not allowed to assist Valerie and Cameron, who both lay fatally injured. The DA’s report suggested that Ron Ely was physically incapable of the attack on Valerie, making Cameron the primary suspect.
With Ely’s recent passing, the lawsuit's future remains uncertain, as the family considers their legal options to pursue justice for both Cameron and Valerie. Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce E. Dudley previously stated she would review any new evidence if presented. Ely’s daughters are now expected to decide whether to continue the lawsuit in their father’s stead, potentially marking a prolonged legal battle in the case that Ron Ely once vigorously pursued.
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