Man sues Fayetteville officer who shot him

FAYETTEVILLE (AP) — A man who was shot and wounded by a Fayetteville police officer after a chase last year has sued. Herman Harris Jr. said he suffered a number of health problems after he was shot in August of 2012, The Fayetteville Observer reported. The problems included weight loss and permanent nerve damage, according to the lawsuit.

The federal lawsuit filed earlier this year seeks unspecified damages and a jury trial.

Fayetteville City Council voted this week to provide for officer Zachary Pittman’s defense.

Police said Harris ran when Pittman was responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle. Police say Harris ran and there was a struggle after the chase and Harris was shot.

The arrest warrant said Harris had pointed a handgun at Pittman before he was shot.

Pittman returned to duty in September 2012 after an investigation.

Police Chief Harold Medlock said in a statement he looks forward to defending the lawsuit, but regrets the cost to the taxpayers to defend what he called “unsubstantiated allegations.”