Judge awards nearly $2M after concluding FBI agent was negligent in shooting kidnapped Texas man

A federal judge has ruled in favor of the family of Ulises Valladares, awarding nearly $2 million in damages after finding that an FBI agent was negligent in a botched rescue attempt that resulted in Valladares' death in January 2018. The 47-year-old man was kidnapped and was bound and blindfolded when agent Gavin Lappe shot him during the operation carried out at a home in suburban Houston.

In the lawsuit filed by Valladares' family, they argued that he was helpless at the time of the shooting, which occurred when Lappe broke a window to enter the property. The agent claimed he believed a kidnapper was trying to grab his rifle and acted in self-defense without knowing he was firing at Valladares. However, U.S. District Judge Kenneth Hoyt found Lappe to have been “negligent, even grossly negligent,” directly attributing Valladares’ death to the agent’s actions.

Judge Hoyt pointed out that Lappe fired at a silhouette without confirming a threat to himself or the nearby agent, emphasizing the lack of justification for his actions. His judgment criticized the FBI agent's decision-making during the high-stakes situation, highlighting the tragic outcome of the incident. The ruling was reported by the Houston Landing website.

Although Lappe was granted qualified immunity that protected him from personal liability in the lawsuit, the case proceeded against the federal government, leading to the significant damages awarded to Valladares' mother and son. This decision underscores the consequences of negligence in law enforcement operations.

Former Houston police Chief Art Acevedo had earlier expressed doubt regarding Lappe’s explanation of the shooting, stating that it was "not supported" by the evidence reviewed. The judgment raises important questions about the protocols and accountability within federal law enforcement agencies in crisis scenarios.