Oregon Family Files $12.5 Million Lawsuit After 911 Caller is Fatally Shot by SWAT Team

A $12.5 million wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against the Oregon State Police, alleging that SWAT team members acted negligently, leading to the fatal shooting of Tyler Holloway, a 26-year-old man who called 911 to report a homicide. The lawsuit, filed in Lane County Circuit Court on February 23, 2026, claims officers employed reckless tactics and a problematic policy of “covert, military-style engagement with civilians.”

Details of the Incident

On December 27, 2024, Tyler Holloway and other residents of Prindel Creek Farm, located approximately 25 miles east of Yachats in the Oregon Coast Range, called 911 after a neighbor shot and killed a friend before fleeing with a handgun. Holloway, for his own protection, retrieved a handgun while waiting for law enforcement to arrive.

According to the lawsuit, officers were aware Holloway was armed. Though, upon arrival, three SWAT officers opened fire on Holloway after seeing him with a gun in his hand. The lawsuit argues that Holloway “survived being shot at only to be killed by the help he waited 6½ hours to receive.”

Allegations of Negligence

The lawsuit alleges several instances of negligence by the Oregon State Police and individual officers. These include:

• Reckless Tactical Decisions: The suit claims officers made “reckless tactical decisions” that directly resulted in Holloway’s death.
• Negligent Tactics: The family alleges the officers were negligent in their tactics during the response.
• “Early Insert” Team Deployment: The lawsuit specifically criticizes the Oregon State Police’s practice of deploying a SWAT team “early insert” – officers on foot without armored protection or hard cover – onto rural properties.

Attorney Kevin Yolken, representing Holloway’s family, stated, “Sneaking up on unsuspecting victims invites a hostile response, thus creating the very danger that took Tyler’s life.”

Previous Lawsuit and Settlement with Oregon State Police

This is not the first time the Oregon State Police have faced legal challenges related to fatal shootings. In March 2023, the state of Oregon settled a wrongful death lawsuit for $1.6 million in the case of Robert Clinton Box, who was shot and killed by two state troopers in Josephine County eight years prior. Oregon State Police Superintendent Casey Codding issued a letter of apology to Box’s widow, Bernadette “Bernie” Box, acknowledging the agency’s role in the tragedy.

Ongoing Legal Proceedings

The lawsuit seeking up to $12.5 million in damages is currently underway in Lane County Circuit Court. The case highlights concerns about police tactics and accountability in rural Oregon, and the potential for tragic outcomes when responding to emergency calls.