Insurance agent sued for $1.1 million over shooting

Suit claims that the agent used unjustified lethal force against the victim

Insurance agent sued for $1.1 million over shooting

Insurance News

By Lyle Adriano

A $1.1 million lawsuit has been filed against an insurance agent for fatally shooting a homeless man.

The lawsuit claims that insurance agent Charlie Win Chan, 47, of Portland-based Golden Key Insurance used “unjustified lethal force” when he shot the unarmed Jason Gerald Peterson, 32, in the torso. Peterson succumbed to his wounds two hours later on the afternoon of February 20.

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According to Chan’s account to the police, he had found Peterson’s sleeping bag and other belongings blocking the door to his business around 10:30am on February 20. Chan pushed them aside so that his wife could enter the building, then later threw the items in a garbage bin next to the agency.

Later that day in the afternoon, Peterson walked into Golden Key Insurance and asked what had happened to his belongings. After Chan explained to Peterson that he had disposed of the items, Peterson threatened to kill him and torch his business, the insurance agent said in his statement.

Chan recounted that Peterson ran out of the building when Chan threatened to call 911. Five minutes later, Chan stepped outside to get some fresh air and then walked to the area behind his business to unload a water dispenser out of his RV parked there.

It was at this moment that Chan claimed Peterson confronted him again, with a clenched fist and threats to kill him. Chan then pulled a 22-caliber revolver from his blazer pocket and shot Petersen in his midsection. An autopsy report found that the bullet pierced Peterson’s liver, pancreas and aorta.

Chan also told investigators that he thought Peterson was much larger than him, and that Peterson could easily overpower him. An autopsy, however, found that Peterson was 5’ 7”, compared to Chan’s 5’ 6”.

In March, a Multnomah County grand jury reviewed the case and found no criminal wrongdoing by Chan.

However, the lawsuit, filed Thursday in Multnomah County Circuit Court by Peterson’s estate, condemns Chan for walking out of his business “for no apparent reason.” The suit continued, saying that Chan could have stayed inside his business and called 911 as he supposedly planned, or sought help from others nearby, instead of shooting Peterson.

The suit also states that the insurance agent “invaded [Peterson’s] personal space without his consent.”

The Oregonian reported that the suit describes Peterson as having a “legally protected interest” as a “licensee” on Chan’s premises, but does not explain what that means.

Authorities say Peterson had schizophrenia.

Peterson’s family is seeking $500,000 for loss of society and companionship and emotional pain and suffering. The lawsuit is also looking to claim $500,000 for Peterson’s physical and emotional suffering before his death, as well as another $100,000 for medical bills, funeral expenses and other costs.


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