Anniston, Alabama — The family of a firefighter who was fatally shot during a dispute with a neighbor has initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against the man charged in the incident.
The shooting incident, which resulted in the death of 47-year-old Thomas Farmer, occurred on October 25, 2023. Farmer, known for his service as a firefighter and paramedic in Lincoln, had just completed his shift when the tragedy unfolded.
Ramon Lee Feazell Jr., 58, faces charges of reckless manslaughter in connection with Farmer’s death. His trial is scheduled for December in Calhoun County. Farmer’s widow, April Dawn Johnson Farmer, is represented by Birmingham attorney James R. Moncus III, who filed the lawsuit on Friday.
In the legal documents, Moncus alleges that Feazell acted with malice or indifference when he discharged his firearm at close range, claiming that he intended to kill Farmer. The suit meticulously recounts the tragic circumstances that led to the shooting.
On the morning of the incident, Farmer had made a stop at his son’s school to deliver medication before heading home. Upon arriving around 9:30 a.m., he heard a gunshot coming from an adjacent property and expressed concern to his wife, stating that he feared their dog, Harley, had been shot. With that, he went to investigate.
The lawsuit claims that when Farmer confronted Feazell, he found Harley dead nearby. In the ensuing confrontation, Feazell reportedly pulled out a gun and shot Farmer in the upper chest, leaving him to succumb to his injuries on his own property.
First responders later confiscated multiple firearms from Feazell. According to Moncus, Feazell maintained that he acted in self-defense, asserting that Harley had attacked him as he was fishing. The lawsuit countered this claim by describing Harley as a friendly Norwegian Elkhound who posed no threat.
The complaint also outlines the emotional toll on Farmer’s family in the wake of his death, emphasizing that there were no significant consequences for Feazell in the months following the shooting. “April and Rilee faced life without their husband and father,” the lawsuit states, indicating the profound loss they are experiencing.
Farmers’ family members seek at least $50 million in damages, asserting that Feazell’s actions were egregious. The suit portrays a troubling narrative that raises questions about the implications of self-defense claims and the societal impact of gun violence.