Pueblo, CO – In a new legal battle, Laura Voepel, the mother of the convicted Club Q mass shooter, has filed a lawsuit against the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD). The lawsuit claims that Voepel’s constitutional rights were violated during an encounter with law enforcement officers in the aftermath of the tragedy. She alleges unlawful search and seizure, excessive use of force, and other rights violations that occurred when CSPD officers entered her home without a warrant and arrested her without probable cause.
According to a press release issued by Voepel’s legal representation, the incident took place after CSPD officers allegedly entered her residence without a search warrant. The officers are said to have refused to leave when asked, even locking Voepel out of her own home in freezing temperatures. Voepel claims she was subsequently arrested under questionable circumstances, and the lawsuit accuses the officers involved of using excessive force during the arrest.
Named in the lawsuit are Sergeant Reuben Crews, Officers Matthew Anderson, Timothy Hockersmith, and Peter Mandry, along with Detective Rebecca Joins. The complaint asserts that the officers violated Voepel’s Fourth and First Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution, as well as protections guaranteed by the Colorado Constitution.
Attorney Jason Kosloski, who represents Voepel, stressed the significance of the case, calling it a fight for accountability. “No matter the circumstances of an investigation, no matter how tragic, law enforcement officers must uphold the constitutional rights of every citizen,” Kosloski stated in the press release. “Ms. Voepel suffered severe trauma because of what these officers did, and we are seeking justice to ensure this does not happen to anyone else.”
The lawsuit further alleges that CSPD fabricated charges against Voepel, accusing her of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct to justify their actions. Those charges were later dropped after several years of legal proceedings, raising questions about the validity of the officers’ conduct during the incident.
Voepel, speaking out for the first time about the ordeal, described the emotional toll the events have taken on her. “I never imagined that I would have to fight for my own rights in my own home,” she said. “The past two years have been devastating, but I refuse to stay silent. I have lived in fear, anxiety, and distress, knowing that those who were meant to protect and serve instead disregarded my dignity and humanity.”
She expressed hope that by holding the officers accountable, others would be spared from similar mistreatment. “No one should have to endure what I went through, and I want to use my voice to advocate for change and ensure that abuses like this are never repeated,” Voepel added.
The lawsuit against CSPD not only seeks justice for Voepel but also aims to shine a light on broader issues surrounding police conduct and the protection of individual rights. The case is expected to draw attention to the accountability of law enforcement agencies and the importance of upholding constitutional protections, even in the most challenging of circumstances.
