White Bar Owner Indicted In Fatal Shooting Of Black Protestor Dies By Suicide
Jake Gardner, the 38-year-old white bar owner who was indicted in the fatal shooting of James Scurlock, a 22-year-old Black protestor, has died by suicide. The originating incident occurred on May 30 as Gardner defended his bar from protestors and rioters in Omaha, Nebraska. As Gardner’s father stood outside in an altercation with Scurlock, things heated up, leading to the bar owner fatally shooting Scurlock.
On Sunday, Gardner’s attorney, Stu Dornan, confirmed the news of his client’s death, stating that his body was found around Portland, Oregon. Dornan adds that the decorated war veteran did not leave behind a note. Additionally, Dornan says Gardner, who had left for California amid death threats following Scurlock’s fatal shooting, was set to return to Omaha on Sunday evening to face his charges of manslaughter, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, attempted first-degree assault and terroristic threats.
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While Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine stated Gardner acted in self-defense, a grand jury opposed. Dornan says, “The grand jury indictment was a shock to him. He was really shook up.” Amid the threats, Gardner feared for his life so much that he had hired a bodyguard. Another attorney, Tom Monaghan adds, “There’s no way to defend the lies on social media. When you respond, you only make it worse. We have to stop the lies. Jake was worried he was going to get shot on the way here, that some of those folks would gave him death threats…would carry through with them.”
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